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Layovers - Air Travel podcast (Paul Papadimitriou)

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
22 Nov 2022121 JED — Flying to Saudi Arabia to see AlUla, Jeddah airport aquarium, Emirates cost cutting, desert driving, Indy travel philosophy01:50:28

"What are you going to Saudi Arabia for?" asked the puzzled flight attendant — Paul was flying to Jeddah, to then drive 8 hours, to reach one of the places of his dreams: the Nabataeans tombs of Al-'Ula. From sand to copper, the massive new Jeddah terminal is impressive, and big, and really big, and has the highest airport tower in the world, and they even built an …aquarium (!?)

No champagne, broken seat and flimsy IFE — is Emirates still what it used to be? (Yes, and no).

An X never marks the spot, how travel is about dealing with ambiguity too (and …“we named the dog Indiana”). 

(Yes, we talk about the World Cup too)


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18 Aug 2023131 NRT - The Amazing Zipair Race from London to California to Tokyo to Osaka and back02:12:30

Combini, tamago sando, Skyliner, vending machines, ekiben, baseball Suica cards, yes we discuss Japan, where Alex was earlier this summer. 
And yes we talk (err, Alex talks) about air travel too, British Airways, Southwest, Hawaiian, ANA, and, drumroll, Zipair — not in that order, and with hops at London Heathrow, San Jose, San Francisco, Tokyo Narita, Osaka Itami, and some shinkansens (and lots of Pocari Sweat, Alex is a fan, Paul isn’t), on a few 787s, a 777 (should have been a 380, but …BA), a 737, a MAX (and Alex has thoughts on that one), and a 717 (a great beat up commuter bus!).

A new acronym for BA, Belated Airways (are they ever on time these days?). JAL used to advertise: we don’t economize in economy, so what about their long haul low cost ZipAir, the “new basic airline”, do they economize? And would you ditch your luggage completely, and rent your clothes at destination, for the duration of your trip? Jerks being jerks, but, really, do you need to complain for hours to no end (aka, the rise of disruptive passengers, Alex had one, could have been two). ANA domestic is like flying United in the 90s, golf highlights included, only announcing turbulences are coming in exactly 30 seconds. Would you rather be clocking in and out of lounges, max duration 30 minutes, or looking at nothing but the Pacific for 10 hours? The beer robot at lounges, the perfect good bye to Japan (or is it the soothing sound of Live ATC?). The two dings, the ominous two dings, they will make robots of people. 


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29 Apr 2022114 UVF — Losing Virgin(ity) from sunset to sunrise, SLU, Airbus Ecureuil, ever late 777X, who pilots Air France?02:04:56

From sunset to sunrise: Virgin Atlantic to the Caribbean and back, Paul is finally no longer a Virgin virgin. Flying from SLU over St Lucia, its Pitons, in an Airbus Helicopter (well, Aerosptiale). The (mysterious) Cathay white liveries. The 777X is delayed for the 500th time. Who's flying the Air France 777?

Also, Paul has an echo, Alex has trees being trimmed — just pretend those sound artefacts are aircraft engines :-)


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08 Jul 2022117 VLC - Summer of discontent, Alitalia hit-and-run, AirTag anxiety, A380 comeback, so long Comair, Vuelinggedon01:58:36

Alex lives and sweats the travel chaos, trying to get to Valencia with Vueling (what was he thinking?!) with an epic (FAIL) journey that ended up with Easyjet saving the day. Paul develops some Apple AirTag anxiety. The A380 is back with a vengeance, though Tim Clark wishes he had a two-engine 380, or a 350-2000, or anything BIG (meanwhile his ticket prices are soaring faster than aircrafts). COVID is kinda back too (it never left) but the travel world won't use that C-word to not jinx it all. Alitalia pilots mistake JFK for Naples at rush hour. No more BA livery in South Africa after the demise of Comair, but BA has more issues to think about for now (ground personnel strikes, fuel delivery strikes, and more strikes, on top of staff shortages). Also, in which country is Corsica?

Enjoy nearly two hours of #avgeek stories between Alex and Paul — not sure when we'll record next, Alex being in holidays, but hopefully sometime before end-July. 


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07 Dec 2019101 HAN - Emirates plans, Vietnam meat, Miles & Less, Aeromexico noise, Norwegian LHR coup01:41:02
Flight 101. Everything you wanted to know about Emirates future. Vietnam Airlines has pizza, 350s, 20 million fines and some undefined (but good) meat. The 777X wings are automated. Lufthansa mulls rebranding its program Miles & Less (meaning, the new program rules are stupid). Aeromexico noise, can it be damped by the PowerBeats Pro (or pretending to be on the phone to enter the DXB First Class lounges?). KUL was hacked (they say they haven't, but come on…) time to call BA's IT department :-)). Seeing Ha Long Bay with a Cessna Gran Caravan hybrid seaplane (hint: Paul fell in love in Vietnam). 400000 miles for a cat. Carbon taxes are becoming a trend. Berlin has an opening date (YEAH RIGHT). Norwegian lands at Heathrow, or is it JetBlue? Catch me if you can at DEL. Quote of the month: being dragged in a washing machine backwards. — Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X Comment on each episode, and rate us, on Spotify Review, and rate us, on Apple Podcasts Comment, like, review, and rate us, on Facebook Comment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!) Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website) If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X  
27 Apr 2023127 JFK T8 - Mint Studio wow, airfare inflation, BEY dual time, increased turbulences, why do you go to a lounge?01:59:12

Alex gets lost at JFK T8, only to encounter crazy turbulences over the Atlantic (a future worsening trend). But how did he get there? Finally testing what Paul did in 2021, the Mint Studio — a hope for the future of long haul narrow bodies. Airfare prices are way up from 2019 (more than inflation!), is that temporary, or what prices will be, and should always have been (that's the opinion of AirAsia's founder), so, please, JetBlue, don't Norwegian it! When you call BA, you will get quoted different fees and taxes every time, just keep calling (but who calls in 2023??). Also, DO YOU KNOW WHAT AIRLINE YOU WORK FOR?

Our proposal: play musical chairs in lounges and every five minutes, you have to get up and give somebody else your seat (just keep the ceiling intact, unlike in Paul's sound studio). 
 


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30 Sep 2023132 BLQ - Finnair hippos, IST hugeness, fast track lounge, Super NES passport, Midfield Tom Cruise run01:49:32

Paul tries multiple Italian airports, Alex finally visits the new Istanbul (and flies Turkish for the first time!). The passport blowing border official trick (it doesn't work better than the Super NES cartridge blowing). BA will soon introduce water bottles the size of mini bar vodkas (at least it seems so). The Magical Finnish hippos, another first in a long line of firsts by Finnair. The perma-scaffolding of a rather joyful Birmingham airport. Italian really do duty free differently (from currency to cars). Alex visits what is easily the biggest third party lounge he's ever seen in his life. Tom Cruise runs over the new Midfield Terminal at Abu Dhabi (and of course, WE ARE TOP GUN MAVERICK). When the fast track is in the lounge. Creatively naming the airline Wifi (send us your favorites). Imperial Airways lives on (on the IFE). Luton LOL. Do airlines realize people usually need to have a bag when they fly? Are Ryanair pilots of drinking age? Don’t ask Apple Maps for Bologna Airport. 


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22 Oct 2023133 ALA - Bundling the unbundling, Condor Brewdog, BER secret door, overhead bin booking, inaugural JetBlue, LH sneakers, with Alex Vukolova01:51:40

So small, cozy, cute, a very special airport, that was Tegel, not BER: can the finally (nearly) finished Berlin Brandenburg measure up to the "poor but sexy" German capital? At least the cleverly named lounges have an even cleverer backdoor (and, hey, it's not a poor bus station like Schoenfeld).

Bundling the unbundling: a (great) rant by Alex (Hunter, but Vukolova chimes in, and Paul got confused having two Alex on the show). 
Do the Adidas Lufthansa sneakers give you extra status (you can now buy them, unlike the staff limited editions that Paul bought off from an employee a few years ago, in order to pair them with the Family Mart socks he just got). 
Condor offers you a branded beer (another Brewdog airline brew!), but also booking your …overhead bin?? (Alex tested it, and we look at everything that could go wrong). 
JetBlue and the inaugural massive dog. 
The admirable journey out of fear of flying.
Air Astana is amazing, Almaty airport not so much (the former gives you amenity kits, and slippers, in economy, for 3 hours!! The latter does not have free water in its lounge WTF).


Thanks a million to Alex Vukolova for having joined us (and for having waited FOREVER to be on our podcast).

You should follow Alex on LinkedIn (she posts great avgeek stuff!): http://linkedin.com/in/alexandravukolova

On Instagram (Paul messed up her username all this time!!): https://www.instagram.com/avixalex/

Give a listen to her aviation podcast, Sky Lounge: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/sky-lounge-podcast/id1678045129

And here's the Ladies Beyond Flying group she mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12451302

(See, there are links in our show notes for once).

Apologies for the audio quality, we had to work around a ton of glitches, and preferred recording than postponing.

See you in the next one! Happy flying!

 


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14 Dec 2024142 KTM - From Ukraine to Nepal, war zone and sky trails02:24:35

Two tales of adventurous (and at time turbulent) travels: Paul embarks on a long train ride to Ukraine, while Alex soars above the Himalayas.

One ventures into the heart of a conflict-stricken Kyiv, the other navigates the heights of Annapurna aboard a Ukrainian-built plane.

A blend of sobering exhilaration and uplifting challenges that come when traveling in unique and sometimes demanding circumstances — we were both taught lessons in resilience and perspective.

This could very well be our favorite episode ever.


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29 Sep 2021111 LIH - Touring the US in the pandemic-ish era, the MAX is back, the recovery not yet01:41:30

Alex tours the US, from Denver to San Francisco to Las Vegas to Oakland to Hawaii, and gets to experience his first 737MAX, and the Great Pacific (aka lyrically talking about ZOA KZAK Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center). We discuss the state of travel in this weird era, not yet post-Covid, still pandemic-ish but not yet endemic, a weird middle where international flying is depressed, but with clearer skies ahead for some.

We're back (again!),  still in a live format, thanks everyone for your kind comments since our last recording, you're the BEST!

We mentioned Sherpa, the tool to learn about travel restriction: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
And this book, Pacific, by Simon Winchester, about the Pacific Ocean: http://www.simonwinchester.com/pacific


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28 Apr 2021108 WFH - We Meet Again01:44:02

Paul and Alex meet again. They haven't seen each other in a year.

Recorded live, no edits, no music, no notes.

Mentioned in the show: Seat 1A podcast, episode 038, with Paul

 


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12 May 2022115 RTW - Mark Vanhoenacker: Imagine a City, a (787) Pilot Sees the World02:10:15

A Round the World conversation with our friend Mark Vanhoenacker for the launch of his new book 'Imagine a City, A Pilot Sees the World', a sequel to 'Skyfaring'. 
We talk about our love for cities, the small ones of our birth, the big ones of our dreams, the ones visited once (even only at the airport), the ones we feel home at, the ones that shine bright, afar from an aircraft window or from a walk on their streets. 
We even geek out on public transport (including the Yamanote Line, whilst Alex isn't sold on the Elizabeth Line haha). 

Mark also tells us about moving from his beloved 747 to the 787 (we ask: why that one?), and the strange feeling of flying through the pandemic (for British Airways, if you didn't know it already).

We also go through some fire alarm (thrice) and decide to stay put, after all, it had been 2.5 years Alex and Paul hadn't seen each other in person, and nearly 5 (!) years since we had last had a beer with Mark (yes, we went to a pub after this recording).

Learn more about the Imagine A City on Mark's website: http://markvanhoenacker.com/imagine-a-city

And buy the book on Amazon, Waterstones and in any good bookstore — it's a must for travelers, we both can attest to that! (US friends, you'll have to wait until July 2022!).

Listen to our previous conversations with Mark:

060 to Nairobi NBO
040 to London Heathrow LHR

And follow Mark on Twitter: @markv747

See in our next episode, whenever that is (Alex goes to Medellin, Paul to Karachi, Lahore, and Corsica, but 116 MDE it will be, PAUL IS VERY JEALOUS).


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28 Sep 2022119 KHI — Flying in and around Pakistan, Queen NOTAMs, Japan rush, United x Emirates, ticket inflation, Virgin plusgrade, Argo escape02:05:43

Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, three cities, three cultures, and three airports that correspond them well — Paul flies in and around Pakistan (flying out was not a given on one of those trips!). The retro liveries of PIA and QR. Japan opens up on October 11th, ticket prices skyrocket, also as the USD rises against pretty much every other currency, making flying more expensive to many. The NOTAMs for the Queen passing (LGW went full radio silent!). United and Emirates integrate, and Virgin finally joins SkyTeam. Alex gets plusgraded to Upper Class (just after a status match, HOW DOES HE DO IT?!)


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15 Dec 2022122 FLR — Joyful Norse, Doha Changi Gardens, in-flight 5G, A380 returns, Avios loot boxes, limitless UK liquids, nacho cheese lounge02:06:18

Alex has a joyful experience to Oslo with Norse Atlantic Airways (he flies to Stockholm too, the Nordics know how to handle snow, whilst the UK clearly doesn't). Finland sees record traffic to meet Santa Claus, whilst Air Greenland celebrates a new 330neo. France says NO short haul flights, the EU says YES to mobile networks in flight, the UK says NO MORE to liquid security limits. Doha opens a massive new airport garden, says Singapore stole their idea. Can someone remember Florence Airport, or Pisa Airport, for us? (The Pisa lounge is miserable, no need to tell Paul). Is there a fast track trick at Heathrow transfers?  The revolution: a lounge with a nacho cheese dispenser!!

Be excellent to each other.

(We covered Oslo OSL in episode 032, and Stockholm ARN in episode 99)


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02 Jun 2023128 AUH - Etihad 2.0, Midfield mirage, Swiss cheeseboard, 40000ft silent floating, Louis Vuitton lounging02:00:41

Do you have a number? The saga of Alex trying to beat boarding time at Lisbon (you won't believe he, of all people, made that mistake). A completely charming SWISS cheese board on-board (and cows in the Zurich airport train). Etihad 2.0 are quietly great, a tasteful experience we appreciate (and flying over the Arabian Gulf is a sight to be seen), plus they're now about making money (err, shouldn't it have been the case since the start?). The "Etihad Lounge, The House of the Name of the House of the Lounge of Etihad and Other Airlines that are associated with us, but not really, and we are a good lounge, Lounge" is no more, but Alex isn't sure where he was anyway. A prescient Careem driver takes Alex to the Midfield Terminal, a mirage in a Star Wars movie (will it finally open this December??), but for the moment, the 1970s airport stays your only choice (T3 was opened in 2009, but feels way older). Saudi Arabia is launching a second flag carrier, and another airline, and expansion of airports, and like wow. Floating at 40'000 feet in silence (but with Flightradar). A new A380 UK-based carrier, are they for real? A lounge within a lounge, but it's Louis Vuitton. Super Mario Bros Warp Zones in Madrid.


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03 Nov 2019100 LON - Thank you everyone for being such great listeners, happy 100 to you all!01:33:59
Flight 100. To all of you, thank you so much for tuning in repeatedly, we couldn't have done any of this without your help, your feedback, your reviews, your comments, your corrections, your criticisms (and yes, Delta fans, we're again on your case in this episode haha), your photos and incredible stories you share back with us. Thank you whether you started listening last week or in 2015, whether you always listen, or just once in a while. Thank you as well for bearing with us between episode releases at times, we know we often test the limits of your patience ;-) Thank you also to all of you who came to say hi in airports, lounges, and planes, we always appreciate it (Alex will have his resting bitch face, Paul will have his stupid noise cancelling earbuds, but do come forward, we'll both smile and chat). Thank you for your enthusiasm and your friendship. We appreciate you. Much love to all from Alex and Paul. Happy flying <3— Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X Comment on each episode, and rate us, on Spotify Review, and rate us, on Apple Podcasts Comment, like, review, and rate us, on Facebook Comment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!) Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website) If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X  
03 Jan 2025143 LBG - De-icing YVR, from Air France panache to roomy Ryanair, the retro-future of CDG T1 & the Concorde02:16:10

A European flying tour from North America, a symphony of alcohol (with two specific colors), a flight sim in an airport (well, nearly), the Paris Olympics from the inside (Paul is jealous), the alternative timeline of CDG T1 and Concorde (we want to switch to it!), an appreciation for Ryanair (nope, we're not in another timeline). getting sea sick whilst taxiing (included in your expensive ticket), the tiny ground dots of Charles de Gaulle and Zurich (bring them back!), the dark underground link between Orly and Luton (ok, not really, but you'll get it), the fabulous Musée de l'air et de l'espace at Le Bourget (does it get any better than this?) — Vinod is back (and not only for the insane Spotify numbers he brings along).

Happy New Year everyone & Happy Flying!


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13 May 2024138 AUH - Chic new Abu Dhabi, all business BeOnd, MAX flying challenge, humane low cost, wireless lavatory IFE02:05:42

It's Alex and Paul, and it's another Alex (you've met her in 133!). She tells us all about BeOnd, the new all business class airlines that flies ex-EasyJet (!) 319s (!) to get you to the Maldives (did she enjoy the plane more than the beach?!). Humane versus non-humane low cost carriers: a new definition for IATA? The MAX flying challenge, or how to overcome the unhealthy relationship with a plane. Airport design and signage, another potential unhealthy relationship (it shouldn't be that hard!). Backpack travel, the way to avoid being made to check your carry-on. Make airport buses great again: do not put stickers on windows, do not darken the windows too much (WE WANT TO SEE THE APRON VIEWS!). Wifi naming: has anyone who implemented them actually flown an aircraft? Etihad 3.0, a new growth chapter (there will be doors in the forthcoming EY business class, but Paul does not think doors are very necessary). The new AUH is gorgeous, and a success: was its design process so long thought that it led to some quirks though? (whilst the path to the Etihad lounge is awkward, the delicious design of the gates is a win!). Lavatories breaks with the airline wireless headphones (and PLEASE add green noise—rain and thunder—as a feature on IFEs!!!).

Follow Alex on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/alexandravukolova

Listen to her podcast, Sky Lounge: Apple Podcasts, Spotify 

And since Paul mentions it, here's the very good Air Show podcast (weekly and short, the opposite of this pod haha): Apple Podcasts, Spotify

See you in 2-3 weeks for another episode (hint: closer to where Paul has never been)


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18 Feb 2023125 CDG T2 - The 747 is forever, a London NY bridge at JFK T8, Air France lounge joie de vivre, 777 guillotine, the airport game02:10:29

The airport you think is overrated, the airport you like, the airport you love, the airport you feel yourself in, the airport you need to visit — play the airport game with us (and feel free to tweet us your answers!). 
The new Air France lounge at CDG T2F is beautiful, as can be CDG …when it works (you'll probably need to taxi on a country drive to get there haha). 
The new lounges at JFK T8, the new of BA in New York, feel like a success (and clever naming!). 
The end of the 747 production line triggers memories for the both of us (a crazy typhoon for Alex, a cramped Combi for Paul, a sense of place for both). 
A renewed joie de vivre by flying Air France (is Transavia the legitimate child of KLM though?). 
Flying the OG Norwegian, riding the good old Acela, and a French guillotine in the 777.


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19 Dec 2019102 DFW - United Jedi Force, 380 misjudgment, coffee pan pan, BA door review, mad MAD, BLLegoland01:24:08
Flight 102. Paul reviews the BA Club Suite (no door was hurt in the making of this podcast). Alex and the secrets of meeting rockstars in flight (mark them down!). The A380 misunderstanding: it should live on (and don't listen to the French, they just strike anyway). United will decide your fate: dark side or light side of the Force (United also ghost Force'd Munoz). Food pan pan, coffee pan pan, but chocolate delight (edible cup though?). BLLegoland. Paul kneels down in front of Madrid e-gates (they don't work) whilst Alex believes it being a social experiment: it's truly mad MAD (and a new fortress by IAG). Boeing will soon sell a negative number of planes. Hong Kong airlines lives to see another day, Avatar airlines might never be born (low-cost 744s, really?). Tim Clark has had enough of beta-testing aircrafts. DFW innovates, a lot, but it's still not sexy (Alex's posh voice however...)— Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X Comment on each episode, and rate us, on Spotify Review, and rate us, on Apple Podcasts Comment, like, review, and rate us, on Facebook Comment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!) Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website) If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X  
16 Jan 2020103 DEN - Fish, Chicken, Beef, Lasagna, the flavors of the airlines …and the lizards conspiracy01:41:31
Flight 103. It's always fish, chicken, beef and lasagna, airplane food, airport food and more food: airline Christmas menus, First class samplings, FRA hunger games, fake meat, Air Yoshinoya. The healthiest US trays, the best global airline for your taste buds. The Bali pigs could lead to the next airline epidemic, its epicenter actually being US catering. From airline beers (yes) to jet lag powder drinks (nope). The lizards übermensch that took over the hidden bowels of Denver airport (and haunt United's lavatories).— Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X Comment on each episode, and rate us, on Spotify Review, and rate us, on Apple Podcasts Comment, like, review, and rate us, on Facebook Comment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!) Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website) If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X  
02 Apr 2020107 - A Golden Era of travel ends, another will rise01:56:30
Flight 107. We might have been in a Golden Age of travel, and didn't see it — it's now time to reflect, and think about the next one, a different one, with perhaps more friction, and certainly some pain in the process. From the economical hurt, the airlines at risk, to the new borders to travel (green zones versus red zones of infection?), from health as the new visa to less interaction (more automation?), all the travel futures we might see. For now, we're in this together. The World won't stay closed. We will fix this. — Follow us, and comment on: Instagram - Bluesky - Threads - Mastodon - Twitter/X Comment on each episode, and rate us, on Spotify Review, and rate us, on Apple Podcasts Comment, like, review, and rate us, on Facebook Comment on YouTube (there's no video, just audio!) Search for "Layovers" on any podcast service (some direct links are on our website) If we're missing one, or if you have any feedback, let Paul know on Instagram - Threads - Mastodon - Bluesky - Twitter/X  
14 Mar 2025145 KUL - AF001 fragrance, long-haul family, blue liveries, Jewel bathtub plug, hidden runways, what is premium economy02:24:54

What is it like to travel with a kid on long-haul journeys to Asia, from Singapore, to KL, to Taipei and more (and the secret bathrooms, which one would you choose?).  AF001, the Air France fragrance (only the French!). Should KLM talk to Korean about the new livery? (And where is the red? LH kept a Pantone code at least). The runways hidden in plain sight (we have one in Singapore, one in Switzerland). CDG T1 (again) shortcomings — compare that to the magic of Singapore Changi and the big bathtub plug at Jewel (Changi, where no one can hear your child scream!). Is Air Canada better than JAL?! (not everything coming out of Japan has unicorn status, you know). What is premium economy (a slightly better economy, or a business class minus, no airline seem to agree). When should service happen on long-haul flights? (Bad timing is everything). What on Earth is going on at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (there's a lot of dust on that Aerotrain).

We mentioned our friends at Plane Talking UK, here's how to listen/watch them

Happy flying!


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03 Jun 2024139 YEG - From ground crew to flight attendant, via two pandemic Olympics: Vinod's AvGeek chronicles02:42:35

Ever wondered about the life of a flight attendant (and ground crew)? This is the episode for you. Paul welcomes his good friend Vinod for an episode full of fun aviation and travel stories — a long episode, with the laughs taking quite some of that length.

From Edmonton to Vancouver, via Calgary (and its keys!), the many airports he worked at (Paul still hasn't been to Canada), Martinair, British Airways, Air Berlin, or WestJet, amongst the many airlines he worked for (and in a world of crew camaraderie around the world, BA really seems like a big family).

Is there something about the uniform that transcends trends? And Vinod's secret to treat cabin crew well (Paul is inspired).

The experience of turbulences in the air (and yes, we discuss that fateful Singapore Airlines flight), but also the video game of driving a jet bridge.

Can you get Covid from an aircraft wing: flying during the pandemic to (and working at) Tokyo 2020 (NRT, a game of chairs) and Beijing 2022 (PEK, calcifying under sanitizing spray).

Does each airline have a specific smell, or is that a neurotic avgeek thing? (dried fish seems like a bad omen though).  

Vinod attempts to convince Paul that Frankfurt and Heathrow are great airports, and he nearly succeeds (his definition of LHR is just the best, and Paul softens on FRA), and we (kinda) agree on Singapore's carpet.

And many more stories (Vinod's most memorable flights are quite something).
 

Listen to Vinod Viswalingam's podcast (hosted along with the great Geoff Dahl), Seat 1A:

Seat1A on Apple Podcasts

Seat1A on Spotify

Seat1A (website with more links)

 

 


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28 Feb 2020105 DCA - Covid19, 787 raffle, LHR Volunteers, business+, Ben's Chili Bowl, with Elizabeth, Dan & Ed02:06:57

Flight 105. Everything you wanted to know (or not know) about the coronavirus (aka Covid19, Sars2, or World War Z) and its short-term effects on the world of air travel — from the hassles to the precaution to think about.

Followed by the fan episode, with longtime listeners Elizabeth, Ed & Dan. Two out of three agree FRA is a disaster (not Elizabeth haha). The Heathrow volunteer program. The battle of the travel apps (and the bizarre TripIt strategy, and UX, as Dan knows very well!). Do you want to win a Dreamliner? Can the BA 350 fly really long routes? SWISS introduces an airline …scent (WTF). American Google translate (and we were hosted at Google, thank you Ed!!!). Ed has seen the future: a robot barista! Someone's been at Southend airport (Elizabeth!). Is there such a thing as too close a livery between airlines? Business premium (no that's not First!) on the Lufthansa 777X. Saving private FlyBe. Willie Walsh leaves IAG. And more avgeekery!


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22 Jul 2024140 AKL - Everything flight planning, future fares, premium leisure growth, BA Fly no more, LHR T1 secret, the return of the 380?02:14:33

What's next for the aviation industry? 
The post-pandemic rejigging of air travel with less business travel, and more leisure travelers in the front (who want, like most of you, to experience the full array of premium travel), more often off-season. 
Will fares keep increasing (it's the economy, stupid!), the unstoppable rise of ancillary revenues (gotta keep those nice margins), and were airlines underpricing their miles up to the pandemic (Emirates believes so)? 
Where is the next aircraft, it seems neither Boeing nor Airbus has anything on the drawing board (the great Embraer might not dent the market, Comac on the other hand?), and Airbus softening's stance on the future of the 380 (the Emirates pressure could be working). 
What about single pilot aircrafts (touchy subject!). 
Greener tech for greener aircraft, and the question of incentives versus punishment (do you know where the term carbon footprint come from?) — and more from the great Hakan Yilmaz (Paul, meanwhile, just spends his time quoting Tim Clark).

Everything you wanted to know about the intricacies of flight planning (choose your wind provider right!). 
Did you know what purpose does the seemingly abandoned T1 LHR serve? (the guys at the new IST could really teach a thing or two to Heathrow…). 
BA Fly no more (well, you'll see), and European Single Sky not yet (or ever?!). 
Flying down under to Brisbane and Auckland, and an Air New Zealand who punches above its weight. 
And we should really do an episode about the best business seats for tall people (the "old" Turkish one is fabulous for that, we both agree).
Oh, and what's your favorite aerobatic display team? (A loaded question, Paul goes for the lunatics).

Follow Hakan on X/Twitter: @LAFlyr

Follow Paul on X/Twitter: @papadimitriou, Instagram: @papadimitriou

Follow Layovers on X/Twitter: @lay_overs, Instagram: @lay_overs

Layovers will return ;-)


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31 Dec 2022123 BRR — Flying the Concorde, visiting all the Concordes, accessing the Concorde Room, a Concorde episode with GGL Ed Parsons01:47:42

Ed Parsons, the Google Maps guy, is our guest today. He's heard the Concorde prototype noise as a kid, flown on the Concorde before it got retired, explored all the Concordes in existence around the world since — a true fan — and we discuss it all, from the history to the conspiracy theories, to a certain nostalgia about a future that's now in the past.  

He is also a GGL, Gold Guest List, the (almost) top tier British Airways status, which gives him access to the exclusive Concorde Rooms (yes, there's more than one), and we learn about more the extra perks, whilst we discuss the not-exactly-great state of current BA, and Heathrow.  

Ed tells us about the many Air Shows he's toured (and photographed!), and of the amazing BRR beach airport (Otter it is, but no Maldives temperatures). Thank you SO MUCH, Ed!

You can find Ed on:
https://www.edparsons.com
https://twitter.com/edparsons

And check his photographs on:
https://photos.edparsons.com
https://www.instagram.com/edparsons/

Thank you all for your graciousness in 2022, we love having you as listeners.
Happy New Year, and see you in 2023!! 


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21 Jan 2023124 LAX — In and out LAX, the rise of Turkish Airlines, frequent flyer free agents, airline consulting, LA celebrity handling, with Hakan aka LAFlyr01:46:21

Friend of the show, and very long time listener (since episode 1!), Hakan Yılmaz, aka @LAFlyr on Twitter, grew up wanting to go early at the airport to see the planes, and collect avgeek paraphernalia, and never stopped being a kid, by still going early to the airport to see the planes, and a career that led him to American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Atlas, etc., with millions of miles under his belt, and tons of stories to share — from the admirable rise of Turkish Airlines (fascinating SAS story on the invention of the hub and spoke model), to the celebrity stories at Virgin (do you carry money when traveling but nothing else? Or lots of LV luggage instead? Reach out to us!), from over-complicating airline operations (which airline is it, do you reckon?) to the uncomplicated life as loyalty programs free agents (the three of us are becoming so, though it's a mental fight to let go), we geek out and rant and laugh, we get the in and outs of LAX (that's Hakan's pun), and thank you all for still listening to us in 2023.

Follow Hakan on Twitter: @LAFlyr


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13 Mar 2020106 OGG - The 2020 Virus Crash, the world is shutting down, keep healthy, cheer up, we will beat this (and, guys, that Kahului final will make you smile!)01:36:25

Flight 106. The 2020 Virus Crash, the world is shutting down, no one is flying — this could become the biggest downturn ever in aviation history and perhaps the biggest global recession since World War II (we certainly do not hope so, we all need to beat this damn Covid-19!). Our thoughts are with all the people in the wider travel industry. Tons of airlines are now at risk around the globe, with bankruptcies and bailouts a certainty, following absolutely massive drops in demand, insane border closures (those are accelerating, and it's only the start), routes suspensions at an unprecedented scale, forced quarantines, fear and uncertainty. But hey, come on, we have good upbeat stories for you (airline bunk beds are a thing!), flight reviews (that turbulent landing!), and, as always, a good banter. Cheer up, keep healthy — we will get through this.


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07 Oct 2024141 OKA - When building a flying itinerary to Japan and beyond is like building a LEGO set01:51:22

Alex tells us all about flying to Okinawa's Naha airport (via Tokyo), Hawaii (717s being flown like NYC cab drivers), the Philippines (that loop to Clarke airport), and more. We have one more Concorde to visit (next, a Millenium Falcon), we dream of Japanese airlines on-board experience (that "Italian" food, though?), we calculate the length of DXB concourses (it can be a long walk), we ponder the future of Manila airports (they'll end up with no less than THREE massive international airports), we wonder if selling guitars in an airport yields any results (Cebu has seen a lot of improvement though), we discuss legroom (bulkhead FTW), and admire Emirates' consistency (the new business class is the old business class?).

Here's Ed Parsons photo store, check it out: https://store.edparsons.com

More travels to come, more episodes to come (if Paul makes it back), but we won't promise when (SORRY!)

Happy travels!


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09 Mar 2023126 MAD - Mad dash at MADrid, skip the JAL banana, BA/LHR chagrin, Lufthansa seat Tetris, Emirates is Apple02:02:17

How is it we had never actually done MAD as an episode title? This ends today, however the mad MADrid dash from T4S to T4 never does. Alex has lots to say about BA and it's …not great (he's not alone to think like this). Paul calls it, the better London airport is definitively Gatwick (stop being a wannabe posh by preferring LHR). Lufthansa introduces a grand new First Class, and a super complex Tetris business class with 14+ options (Swiss introduces the same, but in bordeaux). Will Dolomiti be folded into ITA (the ever growing Lufthansa Group realm of the European skies). Emirates is the Apple of airlines, you might not love them but they offer incredible consistency at massive scale, truly admirable (DXB could do with a bit of a refresh though). You know what, you can fly the 747-400 to Palma (BE QUICK, BEFORE THE 744 ERA ENDS).

We mentioned (and promised to link) those two:

See you again for 127, and, in the meanwhile, please give us any feedback on Twitter or Instagram  (and Apple Podcasts if you're inclined to give us a nice review).


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19 Jun 2023129 GVA - Attaché bromance, Air Force Ones, 777X windows, fly with film, Covid weight, Vomit Pro, Brian Shul02:07:47

We flew to Geneva to record an episode of Attaché (now on YouTube, link below), so how were our flights, and what did we think of the airport (the new C-Gates are excellent, the time at immigration not always). Does too much info add unnecessary travel stress? (Aka Flighty is Paul's IFE of choice in lounges). Is Covid wear and tear a thing? Some aircraft interiors look older than they should. Dublin airport can be frustrating, but it's pretty much forgiven when you can see one of the most famous airplanes in the world next to you. The 380 is an absolute winner in those times of constraints, the 777X could be too (come on, when???), but its new window dimming is what we'll have to settle for now. The new security machines are awesome, unless you shoot film (yes, you know, rolls of film in cameras, the youth won't know what we're talking about), and a photographer friend has some update on that front. Some LCY & Cityflyer love, but "that stupid goddamn piece of crap building that I'm sure is really important to the operation of the airport blocks the view" (HAHAHAHAHA). We both sing in unisson: BA is improving. Undercover flight attendant CEO, whilst Starlux's saves the day (but might get a fine). Did passengers gain weight during Covid? We have the answer (for Europe at least). Apple Vision Pro, the new IFE (Vomit Pro or not?). Remembering Brian Shul.

Lots more stories, from Japan to terminal pubs (morning beer anyone?).

And whilst we always forget to link stuff in those show notes, for sure go watch Attaché with Alex and Paul:

https://youtu.be/0z4pNTXEN3U


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20 Jul 2023130 MSP - Cheap travel and the hamster wheel of miles and status in the post-Covid devaluation times, with Kyle 'Hello Kitty' Potter01:49:20

Kyle Potter, Executive Editor at Thrifty Traveler, all-around awesome(ly smart) dude, Hello Kitty enthusiast (well, it's that EVA Air flight, you'll see!), and (very) long time Layovers listener and friend, tells us all about why MSP is the best thing ever, like everything in Minnesota — but also whether cheap travel is still possible in the current era of airfare inflation (yes!), whether passenger rights will ever be a thing in the US (maybe), whether boarding groups will ever be abandoned (forget it). We debate the wilderness where having no status means real freedom (that status, the warm blanket you're sure you need, right?), the crazy valuations of US loyalty programs (and airlines wanted to spin them off? HOW WOULD THEY MAKE MONEY lol, it's as if they're banks that happen to own planes), the devaluation of those programs (non-travel Covid has something to do with it), the importance of alliances and joint ventures in the current air travel era. And yes, for once, we touch upon the world of air miles programs a bit more, and its nearly MLM-esque ecosystem in the USA. As Kyle is a Delta fan (and captive!), we ask him: Why are they so good (that padding!), and how is that new Delta One seat (hint: we're all aligning in saying doors aren't really something we value).
Oh, and ORD doesn't get a lot of love, LOL.  

Nearly two hours of great fun, whilst learning quite a bit (Alex and Paul learnt a lot).

You can follow Kyle on Twitter (please do):
https://twitter.com/kpottermn

His writings are on:
https://thriftytraveler.com

Of note, he wrote about the EVA Air Hello Kitty flight he took here:
https://thriftytraveler.com/reviews/flights/15-hours-eva-air-hello-kitty/

and a great guide on how to find cheap travel via Google Flights:
https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/google-flights/

Layovers will return in August (when Alex does). 


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25 Aug 2022118 LAP — Victorville overfly, 2bn Emirates refresh, Star losing Lufthansa, taxiing EWR for 9hrs, Windsor Suites, smuggling McMuffins01:58:16

No, the other La Paz — the Southern/Baja California Alex Hunter 2022 Tour, with Megan as a VERY supporting avgeek act (aka Alex is the supporting act, Megan is the star, but you all knew that already). Emirates refreshes its fleet on a crazy tight clockwork upgrade schedule. Air France reveals its PORTE FRANCAISE* business seats (*French door). Lufthansa loses a star, and its general shine in a summer of strikes and chaos (those Philippines Airlines aircrafts won't be enough, guys). Don't try to smuggle McMuffins in Australia, even if you had to wait hours to no end in Bali. No more fuel after United taxies EWR for 9.5 hours (is that worse or better than Vueling?). Yes, yes, Paul knows, it was a 350 on the pic he posted on Instagram, not a Dreamliner (he's going to hear about this until the end of time, won't he?).


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09 Jun 2021110 SIN T4 - Vaccine tourism, supersonic Boom, Mi(g)nsk detour, Covid passports, plague terminal02:02:49

Alex gets cancelled (not him, the flight!). Duty free to nowhere (and no good pricing anyway). No kidnap fee, a new product by Ryanair. Plague terminal at LHR. Amber, the color of confusion. Genomics quarantine. Digital health visas (aka Covid passports, what a silly name). The travel bubble that refuses to happen. BOOM, our supersonic hopes, the PR reality. The timing of corporate travel taking off. Chicken broth cocktail (try it!).

Recorded live, no edits, with a pinch of static (but hey, adequate for an airplane-like PA experience).


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22 Apr 2025146 CUR - KLM timeline, Starlink is airborne, Doha First ceilings, Heathrow fire, UK ETA, bubbly for the pilot02:08:11

Here's the trick on how to forget you don't have a window seat: spend an entire flight doing speed tests on Starlink. Another trick? How to actually get a mobile boarding pass on BA's ever-buggy app. When business becomes first, or the final trick to access the Al Safwa First Class lounge in Doha. KLM gives you a timeline of service on the IFE, and a LOT of (good) food. CDG T1 is the Circle of Doom, but there are views on the 11th floor if you can find it. Heathrow shuts down after a fire, earning its "operational challenges" nickname. The UK has introduced the electronic travel authorization (ETA), no questions asked. The bonus of not having doors in business class: the gossip, here whether a pilot should be allowed to drink champagne or not. The rather surreal experience of airport hotels, and the reset of coming back to commuter airports.

Check-ins, touchdowns, unexpected connections, with turbulent weather and turbulent IT — Happy Flying!


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07 Mar 2024136 DXB - Vegan First Class, lounge bouncers, jet stream rush, intermittent flying fasting, improper JFK02:01:11

Is Emirates low key encouraging membership to the high mile club? (And how Alex and Layovers saved Paul's Emirates First upgrade. The controller goes "oh that sucks", or why Alex keeps listening to ground whilst traveling (but he always gets the last bag delivery ever). Lounge bouncers (not exactly, but lounge double dipping is a thing). Going against the jet stream when it reaches record speeds (and against an unbelievably bad customer representative at JFK). Wife or work wife, who gets lounge access? Plant-based food choices are increasing in quality, Emirates saw the trend early (and why some flight attendants have had enough of special meals). BA is investing billions, but could they spare some to fix their Manage My Bookings on the app? No more miles or status for non-direct bookings, a new trend?

Happy flying to you all!


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28 Jan 2025144 10Y — A Decade on the Air, Emirates Zero-Gravity First-Class pinnacle, Virgin Avgeek fan, Finnair joy, BA loyalty controversy02:07:49

A decade on the air and in the air, thank you all for your loyalty (we don't offer Tier Points).

Loyalty is what we start with, as British Airways shakes the world of revenue based loyalty with a rather abrupt shift (meh it was coming, says Alex, whilst Paul defends BA), but what program should we now put our miles in?!

Alex flies to peak pollution Delhi with Virgin Atlantic, to meet his brothers (and his Attache brother, Greg). He then goes to New York via Helsinki with Finnair, an airline that wants you to believe a 330 is a 350, but that he'd fly again and again.

IFE privacy and self-consciousness, that's a thing (is it for you all you too?)

Paul finally narrates the pinnacle of air travel, the best First Class in the world (no contest!), 12 hours in supreme zero-gravity comfort aboard the Emirates 777 First (he touches all the buttons, creates a night club in the sky in one cabin, a hotel in another).

Is the middle seat the best option? You might need binoculars to believe it.

Again, thank you all for tuning in every time we release a show (including the crazy ones binge-listening to the entire catalogue of episodes!).

Happy flying until our next episode (When? Like at airports, patience is a virtue haha)


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23 Apr 2024137 SAI - The Great Tour of Cambodia and Vietnam, with a cup of water from Cambodia Angkor Air02:21:08

Paul is joined by Paolo, one his best friends, to compare notes on a big tour of Cambodia and Vietnam (Paul flew to Cambodia, Paolo flew to Vietnam and Cambodia) with many airports, and airlines along the way (not sure about the water on-board a Cambodia Angkor Air). Paul had his worst fly ever (it was no fault of Etihad, just his own!!) and circles the 380 lounge table forever like an animal, whilst Paolo has the most epic security check experience at Sihanouk International Airport (he's a giant, after all). Cambodia is building huge airports, the future Phnom Penh (still in construction), and the just-opened massive Siem Reap International which we both were pretty staggered with. Are turbulences getting worse, and should the pilot give more explanation when we hit them (Paolo compares them as being rock cradled to sleep in business class!). Does landing at SGN remind you a little of Kai Tak ("dodging the washing lines across the apartments"). Paul and Paolo disagree on BKK, but, yeah, a bit of window cleaning would be good (but the Thai government agrees with Paul, it needs a refurb!). Do you really want to board a Wamos Air? 

- Cambodia Tuk Tuk driver in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat: Mr Kat, tuktukcambodia.com


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08 Feb 2020104 MSP - KC-10 flying gas station, cheese cubes and hummus, why Delta, alliances no more, A220+01:52:12

Flight 104. The cheese cubes and hummus episode, with Doug Zschoche, aka OfficerWayFinder: everything you ever wanted to know about why flyers love Delta so much. 
What it is to fly the KC-10, the flying gas station, and to play with flight simulators (the serious ones!) around the US. 
Who owns the window? Airbus goes 787 dimming, and pulls a book (too many scandals?). 
A 737 MAX update, from revelations, crazy quotes to management reshuffle (what will come first: the re-certification or BER actually opening?). 
The future of alliances (not disappearing, but there are other ways). 
KLM retires its 747 and Qatar goes train (buses will be the way to go in the US). 
Delta introduces Iron Man, a multi-view screen at DTW, some jet fuel over schools, and promises more flexibility. 
The A220 will get stretched (900? 1000??), though no single pilot planes are on the horizons. 
Paul chose the wrong lounge at MSP (yes, he actually did go!), thanks to Doug for letting him know. 
LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEXT TRIP PODCAST (seriously, they release faster than we do). 
Also, this is our 5th anniversary, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING SO LOYAL ALL THOSE YEARS, EVERYONE.

 


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23 Jun 2022116 MDE - Brace for travel chaos, turbulence forecast, Medellin missed approach, 747-200m fine, air-bus routes, cascading wet leases02:06:49

Brace brace brace, travel chaos ahead — from staff shortages, to strikes, to supply chain issues, to a global recession, it's going to be a messy year (and more) ahead. The mess will however make for an interesting wet-lease global puzzle (Mel Air for Air Nostrum as Iberia??), and the experience of using buses instead of airplanes (not sure how we think about that one). Tim Clark is becoming increasingly impatient with the ever-expanding delays at Boeing, and Al Baker wishes he didn't have to put the 380s back in service (that makes us happy!). Alex sleeps his way to Bogota and back, and tells us all about flying to Medellin. Also, did you know there's a 747 parked in Valencia airport that has racked up over 200 million Euros in fines? And that there's a Pret Index?

The turbulence forecast website is: https://turbli.com


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31 Oct 2022120 YUL — World Cup flights, Avios stash, Alaska royalty, Nein to AirTags, Upper First Class, Trudeau Dorval or Mirabel01:58:50

Alex needed to be in Quebec City, so he obviously flew to Montreal — that made him try Air Transat (is that a controversial airline, Canadian friends?). Our friend Greg sadly never got to fly WestJet however …and Paul still hasn't been to Canada. Qatar is getting ready for a massive amount of daily shuttle flights for the FIFA World Cup (1.5 million fans expected, they're a country of barely 3m!). IAG wants Avios to go beyond BA and QR, but would any other airline be really interested? No AirTags allowed: Lufthansa wants to be left alone losing your luggage. Virgin and Alaska are fighting over a trademark that isn't being used (huh?). Virgin does a Upper First class with the Retreat Suite on the 330-900neo, a perfect bed for Presidents and Prime Ministers ;-)


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29 Nov 2023134 HKG - All business class 321neo, biometrics AI airports, Qatar 2.0, boarding group 0, IFE gold standard02:02:54

Alex tells us all about his return to Hong Kong, with Cathay setting a new gold standard in IFE over Emirates (Greg flew China Southern, and, errr, well). Paul flies the all business class 321neo from La Compagnie from Orly to Newark (road traffic was key to that story, but traffic there is none to board, how crazily fast is that, kudos La Compagnie!). Choose your BA seat on Jordanian (neat trick), but it might come with a free infant for you. After 27 years, Qatar Airways replaces Al Baker (would some call him the Jeremy Clarkson of the airline industry?). Can reward/award finders help you spend air miles faster than they devaluate? The biometric airport experience is upon us, and AI is rising (but robots do strike in London when they drive trains). Is British Airways' customer service seeing a renaissance after having listened to Layovers? (at least they're investing quite massively in it, hopefully in IT -capital letters- too). Will we see boarding group -2 arise (group 0 is here)? ExTime, beautiful third party lounges thanks to a je ne sais quoi (the French flair surely). The bucolic murals at that -4 walkway.

We did travel quite a lot, pardon the delay in getting this one out. We'll be back in December!

Happy flying, all.

Paul is on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.
Alex is on Instagram, and Twitter.
Layovers is on Instagram, and Twitter.

 


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12 May 2021109 DIVERSION - Storminess reroute, Steampunk Singapore, (AL)ITA(LIA), pandemic fleets02:02:18

Alex outsmarts a diversion, using all the on-air WiFi. 
Paul talks Scrabble (he clearly spent too much time on the ground).
Flights to nowhere and airplane food to your door are not for us, even if it's BA First.
2 Boeing 2 Airbus, Pandemic Drift.
ITA, Italy's Troublesome Arrangement (we've come up with a better acronym in the episode).
The Singapore Airlines 380 First STEAMPUNK experience, before all the 380s disappeared.

Recorded live, no edits, aka "podcast vérité" (or whatever you call Paul being too lazy to edit this).

The episode is 2 hours, folks, press Pause for a Kit Kat.

(DIVERSION isn't an IATA airport code, we googled it for you ;-))


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17 Feb 2022112 JFK T5 - JetBlue Mint Studio, SFO for 3 hours and back, powered 747 relic, non-reclining Finnair, Airpotle01:57:42

We're back, Alex having taken the time to hack  a 747 seat belt sign, Paul having played too much Airportle. We talk about the non-reclining business class from Finnair (it's divise, but we think it might be a winner), the new Qatar Q suite which isn't a Q suite, and the big winner of this pandemic world: premium economy (non-operable seats notwithstanding haha). Whilst there's no love between Airbus and QR, there is love in our show: Paul with the JetBlue Mint Studio (but where's the butter!??), and Alex with, well, just listen to the show (hint: he flew to SFO for 3 hours and back). And much more, for nearly two hours (post-credits included).


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06 Apr 2022113 MLE - Seaplanes, A380s and (not) remembering DXB. A220 flying through the biweekly BA IT mess.02:05:03

Emirates, Emirates and more Emirates, in First, in Business, on 380s or 777s. To Male and seaplanes for Alex, to Dubai with a blank at deplaning for Paul. But also some SWISS (the savior), some BA (when it's not cancelled), the new longest route in the world (who's currently flying it??), the QR Airbus saga, Athens airport (Alex, not Paul, this time!) and more. And yes, Alitalia, because it was never going to be ITA, wasn't it?

Thank you all for still listening to us, everyone, we REALLY do appreciate all the love.

 


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01 Feb 2024135 RAK - Epic tropical lounge, composite burn, full row downgrade, going veg, MAXed out Boeing rant02:07:31

Qatar'd? No, that new Al Mourjan Lounge at Doha is stunning — one thing we can't say about that RAK one.
Turkish'd? Not really, when a downgrade gets you full emergency exit rows — though that 333 seat made Paul act like an animal.
Boeing has gone full MAX for its windows openings (ok, ok, poor one, but come on Boeing, do better!) — the new 350-1000 goes for a dimmable shade instead.
The JAL 350 crash, a miracle for many (but not all), a testament to the crew, the industry, that aircraft, and Airbus.
Alex and Paul agree, the best eye masks stays the Emirates F one (the previous version!).
Go around grinning? YES.

And Happy New Year to all (this was recorded on Jan 31, just in time!)


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28 Jan 2015001 LHR - Future of A380, end of SkyMall, FlyerTalk and WhatsApp, Cathay Pacific, Plane Finder00:41:40

SHOW NOTES

I. NEWS OF THE WEEK

IAG set to buy Aer Lingus
Third time lucky: IAG and Aer Lingus — The Economist

Emirates would consider buying 100 A380 NEO aircrafts if Airbus commits
Emirates Is Now Giving Airbus 43 Billion Reasons To Build A New Superjumbo Jet — Benjamin Zhang, Business Insider

SkyMall goes bankrupt
SkyMall Remembered — Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic

"We are not asking our customers to be happy with anything."
American Airlines CEO Akkwardly Explains Why Fares Aren't Going Down — Dennis Schaal, Skift

404 - Plane Not Found
Malaysia Air Site Hacked, Some Customer Data Appear Online — Kelvin Chan, AP

 

II. Innovation in AIRTECH, PaxEx and DESIGN

Jan Koum announced WhatsApp on FlyerTalk
Thoughts about my free iPhone app - WhatsApp — FlyerTalk Travel Technology Forum

Cathay's new campaign
Cathay Tell The World They Are A More Civilized Way To Travel — Jonny Clark, The Design Air

Google consults for VietJet
Low-cost airline VietJet strikes consulting deal with Google — CampaignAsia ($)

New Eurowing livery
New Eurowing Brand Painted Up On First Aircraft - But Is It A Good Livery? — Jonny Clark, The Design Air

Will you crash? There's an app for that
'Am I Going Down?' — Vanilla Pixel

 

III. App of the week

PlaneFinder
PlaneFinder.net

 

IV. DEBATE OF THE WEEK

Has the A380 any future?
Is Airbus's A380 a 'superjumbo' with a future or an aerospace white elephant? — Alan Tovey, The Telegraph

 

V. Question of the week

What is the biggest airport in the world?
Runway Leaders — The Economist

 

VI. Airport trivia of the week

LHR. Choose the Heathrow Connect rather than the Heathrow Express to connect to London, or even the Piccadilly Line.


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02 Feb 2015002 HKG - Air Force One dash 8, Skymark bankrupt, Qantas virtual reality, smart carry-ons01:02:35

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

The new Air Force One will be a 747-8
AF Identifies Boeing 747-8 platform for next Air Force One — U.S. Air Force

Gatwick's ambition to cut down queues to a minimum
'Queues will be a thing of the past', Gatwick claims — Lizzie Porter, Telegraph

Skymark files for bankruptcy
Japan's Skymark Airlines files for bankruptcy protection — Adrian Schofield, ATW

Why did AA change its First Class cookie?
American Is Replacing Their Unpopular First Class Chocolate Chip Cookie. Here's Why That Matters. — Gary Leff, View from the Wing

Qatar Airways buys into IAG
Qatar Airways acquires 10% stake in IAG — Anne Paylor, ATW

Managing Airlines as Hotels
Hotel Management Model As An Alternative For Flagship Airlines

 

II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and Design

Hopper promises to tell you when best to book your flight
Hooper's New App Throws Down the Gauntlet for Flight Predictions — Nikki Ekstein, Travel + Leisure

Qantas and Samsung partner on inflight VR goggles
Qantas Virtually Entertain Us — Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir
Airbus Invents Immersive Seat Helmet to Make You Forget You're Flying

Life Vest App
New inflight safety apps seek passenger attention and retention — Tomas Romero, Runway Girl Network

US airlines lead world for inflight wifi
There's more in-flight wi-fi than ever — Ryan Tomme, Briefly Today
The Sorry State of In-Flight Wi-Fi — Nick Bilton, The New York Times
Gogo gets FCC nod for 70Mbps in-flight WiFi tech — Nate Swanner, Slashgear

A carry-on gets smart
Bluesmart: World's First Smart,Connected Carry-On — Indiegogo

 

III. App of the Week

TripIt
TripIt.com

 

IV. Debate of the week

The Future of IFE
New Budget Airline Seats Swap Screens For Built-in Tablet Holders — Andrew Liszewski, Gizmodo
Panasonic's High-Tech Airplane Seats Bring Luxury Amenities To Coach — Les Shu, Digital Trends
In-flight entertainment's future may be on your tablet — Kate Davidson, Marketplace
Alaska Airlines to offer Windows 8.1 tablets for passengers on long flights — John Callaham, Windows Central
Lufthansa will let you watch in-flight movies on your own tablet — Todd R. Weiss, CiteWorld

 

V. Question of the week

How can you tell the age of an aircraft you're flying?
AirFleets.net
PlaneFinder.net

 

VI. Airport of the week

HKG. Alex reminisces about the amazing feat that was the big move from Kai Tak to the new Chek Lap Kok.


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09 Feb 2015003 SFO - Japan Airlines leg room, LCY expansion, flight booking apps, selfie crash, Emirates 74701:05:47

SHOW NOTES

We are very appreciative for the all the feedback received in the past week. It was overwhelming, thank you everyone and keep it coming!

We are learning about podcasting as we go and, for instance, we have tested an improved sound solution that we should start using for next week's episode.

I. News of the week

Was Emirates pitched the 747-8?
Emirates Airlines gets pitch for 100 Boeing 757-8s — Scott Hamilton, Leeham News

Crash by selfie
NTSB Report

LCY will expand
Expansion of London City Airport gets Go-ahead

Harrison Ford narrates Aviation documentary
Living in the Age of Airplanes
How the Airplane Has Changed the World — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

The TransAsia crash
Taiwan TransAsia plane crashes into river — BBC
TransAsia Pilots Take Proficiency Tests After Taiwan Crash — NBC News

 

II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and Design

Pay-to-use in-flight outlets
Scoot's pay-to-play AC outlets: the future of onboard power? — John Walton, RunwayGirl Network

EasyJet introduces a new livery
Skyliner Aviation News

Private air travel membership
Rise
SurfAir

Incredible room on JAL's Dreamliners
A Closer Look at JAL's Super Spacious 787-9 — Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir
Internalising the Knee Recline — Jan Chipchase

Frankfurt's airport app gives real-time security and immigration waiting times
Frankfurt Airport extends information services for passengers

Wanderlust within Chrome
Wandertab by HitList

 

III. App of the week

HipMunk
HipMunk.com

 

IV. Debate of the week

Booking a flight online and on mobile, an overview
Matrix Airfare Search
Google Flights
ITA Matrix Airfare Search Advanced Routing Codes — Michael Cargian, Upgrd.com
Travel Flash Report — Criteo
The 2014 Traveler's Road to Decision — Google
Kayak
Adioso.com
How to upgrade on Virgin Atlantic — Alex Hunter

 

V. Question of the week

Which airlines would you not fly on and why not? by Gen Kanai in Tokyo, Japan
List of airlines banned within the EU — European Commission
FAA Banned Countries — Aviation Lawyer
Safety Audit Information — International Civil Aviation Organization
Safety Rating Criteria — AirlineRatings.com

 

VI. Airport of the week

SFO. Which is not really in San Francisco, but has a great museum and wonderful curated displays about every topic you can imagine.


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16 Feb 2015004 GVA - US3 versus ME3, SkyMall, Google Glass at airports, La Compagnie01:11:56

SHOW NOTES

We implemented a new recording method for this episode, which improves on the sound. We realize that the mixing is not yet perfect but we know that John Biggs will continue pushing us towards perfection.

I. News of the week

US airlines vs the Gulf Airlines

Open-Skies Agreements Challenged — Jad Mouawad, The New York Times

U.S airlines disclose details of booking lost to Gulf carriers — Jeffrey Dastin, Reuters

Emirates Boss Strikes Back at U.S Airlines for Hiding Behind Bankruptcies — Mary Schlangenstein and Michael Sasso, Bloomberg via Skift

Emirates Chairman Says U.S. Airlines Should Stop Complaining and Improve Their Service — Matthew Winkler, Dale Crofts and Deena Kamel Yousef, Bloomberg via Skift

The U.S Airlines' Hypocrisy on Protectionism in the Skies — Colin Nagy, Skift

Boeing reviving the 757?

Boeing Weighs Options to Reprise Aging 757s — Jon Ostrower and Robert Wall, The Wall Street Journal ($)

Boeing reject business case for 757 re-engining — Stephen Trimble, FlightGlobal

Air Lease CEO Weighs In on Boeing's 757 Dilemma — Jon Ostrower, The Wall Street Journal

AirUber or SpotifyAir?

Surf Air Founders Jet To The East Coast With New Private Flight Service Beacon — Sarah Buhr, Techcrunch

Jet Aviation Zurich signs exclusive service agreement with Take Air membership airline — Jet Aviation

Take Air

SkyMall reborn

SkyMall Will Fly Again. Get Ready for a New Pilot. — Scott Jordan, LinkedIn

Expedia buys airline-incepted Orbitz

Expedia to buy Orbitz in cash deal worth $1.6 billion — Kevin May, Tnooz

Expedia Hopes Orbitz Acquisition Will Help It Sell More Flights — Dennis Schaal, Skift

Korean Air executive goes to jail over nuts

Korean Air executive jailed in 'nut rage' case — BBC News

Parliament split over IAG' s acquisition of Aer Lingus, RyanAir driven out

Irish political storm erupts after BA is cleared for takeover at Aer Lingus — Simon Goodley and Henry McDonald, The Guardian

Government backing key for IAG's Aer Lingus bid, says City — Nick Fletcher, The Guardian

Airbus loses only A380 VVIP client

Airbus Cancels Only VVIP A380 Order — Thierry Dubois, AIN Online

Airbus Billionaire Study — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

The Fabulous Life Of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud — Forbes

 

II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and Design

JetBlue introduces Apple Pay

JetBlue will soon let you buy in the sky with Apple Pay — Mariella Moon, Engadget

JetBlue's Apple Pay play begs questions about live CC processing — Mary Kirby, RunwayGirl Network

FAA proposes drone rules

US DOT issues proposed rulemaking for small UAS in commercial airspace — Graham Warwick, ATW Online

Dubai Airport briefly closed due to illegal drone activity — Aviation Safety Network

Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems — FAA (PDF)

Know Before You Fly

AMS trials Google Glass

Schiphol innovates with Google Glass — Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (video)

JAL experiments Google Glass at Honolulu Airport — Aviation Wire (Japanese)

BA goes tablet for logbook

BA first with electronic logbook for 787 fleet — David Learmount, FlightGlobal

Airplane family seating

Thomson Airways waffles on timing of Family Booth seating — Maryann Simson, Runway Girl Network

Lufthansa introduces vintage 747 livery

Lufthansa Paints a Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental in Retro Livery — Malcolm Muir, Airline Reporter

Lufthansa's new basic 1968 Boeing 747-830 retro jet — Bruce Drum, World Airline News

Flying the 747-8 is like driving a Porsche, Lufthansa celebrates — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

RyanAir talks smartwatches

Ryanair to woo passengers with smartwatch technology — Natalie Paris, Telegraph

Ryanair exploring smartwatch technology to help simplify travel experience — Ryan Ghee, Future Travel Experience

SWISS' amazing footage

Breathtaking footage of a SWISS A320 slaloming the Swiss Alps — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

United tests a new website

Sneak peek: United nears roll-out of anticipated new website — Ben Mutzabaugh, USA Today

Delta goes Starbucks

Starbucks, Dunkin & Lift - Oh My! Coffee Keeps Passengers Going — Malcolm Muir, Airline Reporter

 

III. App of the week

AirHelp

 

IV. Debate of the week

Can a business-only airline finally succeed?

The Rise Of The New All-Business Class Carrier — Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir

Is La Compagnie a real business-only airline? — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

The Most Ridiculous Airline Aspiration of the Century — Ben Schlappig, One Mile At A Time

 

V. Question of the week

Why do Canadian airports have a Y prefix, whereas the ones in the UK are more city-related? And why is LAX called LAX? by Keir Whitaker in Bath, UK

The three-letter airport code history is both simple and complicated. The origins can be found in meteorological stations, regulations, old city names, airfield names. Listen to the segment for a run-down!

 

VI. Airport of the week

GVA.
Paul's hometown airport. It has an unusually long runway for an airport this size (longer than SFO, HKG and on-par with LHR, just to take the airports covered in episodes 001, 002 and 003). Part of it was actually on French territory, but countries decided to exchange land to make it swiss while maintaining their respective land mass.

Geneva is home to the United Nations and many of its bodies (HCR, WIPO, WHO, ITU to name a few) but also the IATA and the EBACE aviation trade fair. Many multinationals (Nestle), financial institutions and organizations (the Olympic committee) are also located nearby, which also explains the importance of the airport relative to its size. Many countries also source the ink for their bank notes through that port of call.

If you have to go through passport control, chances are you will be bussed. Always go close to the doors on the right side of the bus, you'll exit quicker to immigration—which can get cramped at times (the zone shall be refurbished soon, we hear).

Before customs, at the baggage belts, is a machine that delivers a 80 minutes free public transport ticket. It's not well-advertised, but worth it as cabs do not all take credit cards. Take the train over the bus to go to the center of the city with that ticket. All trains stop a Geneva central station and you'll be there in a short 5 minutes. 

Leaving Geneva Airport, make sure you take a look at the security gates at the end, there's often less people than the ones people turn first at (there's a Fast Track corridor on both ends). You can also try to go through the F gates—although usually reserved for passengers traveling to France, staff might let y


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23 Feb 2015005 MUC - Lufthansa low cost, the ME3, Delta lost dogs, China Eastern digital butler01:19:37

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

US airlines vs the Gulf airlines, round two

U.S. Airlines vs Gulf Carriers: That Escalated Quickly — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

Qatar's Al Baker firmly rebukes Delta chief in subsidies row — Max Kingsley-Jones, FlightGlobal

Delta CEO apologizes for terrorist remark — Karen Walker, ATW

Emirates Boss Pushes Back on Delta's Open Skies and 9/11 Claims — Jason Clampet, Skift

U.S Airport Group Sides Against Airlines in Open Skies Battle — Marisa Garcia, Skift

The Battle Over Open Skies Forces U.S. Tourism Industry to Choose Sides — Marisa Garcia, Skift

Emirates Considers Reducing Tickets Prices — RJ321, Airliners.net

Are cabin toxic fumes a health risk?

Warning over toxic fumes in plane cabins — Andrew Gilligan, Telegraph

North Korea Air Force One

See Inside Kim Jong Un's Remodeled Air Force One — Taylor Rogoway, Jalopnik

Turkish might get two A380s

Turkish Air Said to Consider Leasing A380s From Malaysia Air — Ercan Ersoy and Andrea Rothman, Bloomberg

Gulfstream breaks world record

Gulfstream Breaks Round The World Record With Only One Fuel Stop — Chris Clarke, Jalopnik

FAI.org

Lufthansa's premium costs versus LCC

Lufthansa Proposes Legacy Growth Plan In Return For Staff Concessions — Jens Flottau, Aviation Week

Lufthansa's Eurowings agrees new pay deal with pilots — Reuters

Lufthansa's new budget airline cleared for take-off — Chris Bryant, FT ($)

EU releases report on LCC working conditions

Zero-hour pilot contracts threaten air safety, says study — Euractiv

Virgin America posts profits

Virgin America posts second consecutive full-year net profit — Aaron Karp, ATW

Delta lost dogs

Furious owners claim Delta lost their show dogs at airport — Matt Markovich, Komonews

Russia requests API

Russia to require API for all overflights — hugolover, Flyertalk

 

II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and design

Air France mobile upgrade game

Air France Upgrade Challenge — AirFrance.com

The upgrade challenge: new cabins launch in Asia — Air France (video)

Air France Launches The Upgrade Challenge Social Game — Ryan Lum, Creative Guerilla Marketing

Breathometer

Breathometer ties in Uber and last-minute hotel stays for drunk — Nick Vivion, Tnooz

Airports set to impose tougher restrictions on alcohol sales in the departure lounge after number of 'air rage' incidents triples in three years — John Hutchinson, MailOnline

Anti-alcohol group calls for booze to be banned on planes following increase in mid-air incidents — Andrea Magrath, MailOnline

China Eastern introduces digital personal assistant

China Eastern Chatbot Flight Takes Off: Will "XiaoIce" Raise In-Flight Services to Unprecedented Levels? — Kai-Chin Shih, Talk Airlines

Meet XiaoIce, a Chinese chatbot that works with their version of Cortana — John Callaham, Windows Central

Microsoft XiaoIce (Chinese)

Siri in the cockpit

Honeywell tests voice-recognition technology on flight decks — Meryl Fishler, Cronkite News

Cool New Cockpit Technologies — Honeywell Aviation (video)

3D printed Rolls-Royce engine

Rolls-Royce to fly Trent XWB with largest-ever 3D-printed part — Murdo Morrison, FlightGlobal

ANA sells 747-400 parts as memorabilia

Forever 747 — ANA A-Style (Japanese)

A Concorde podcast episode

Flying the Concorde — Omega Tau, episode 166

 

III. App of the Week

OpenFlights.org

 

IV. Debate of the Week

The origins of the Gulf Airlines

The Rise of the Gulf Carriers — Ashley Kindergan, TheFinancialist

Flying High, The Improbable Rise of the Gulf Airlines — Jim Krane, Foreign Affairs

Big three Gulf airlines brush aside obstacles in pursuit of dominance — Gwyn Topham, The Guardian

The sky is the limit: has the time come for air traffic control in the GCC? — Albawaba Business

 

V. Question of the week

What is the largest airline in the world by fleet size? by Paul (after Alex told him Emirates wasn't in the Top 10)

World Airline Fleets: Top 10 Aviation Armadas with Most Airplanes — FinancesOnline

The 10 Airlines With the Biggest Fleets in the World — Rob Cowte, The Richest

 

VI. Airport of the week

MUC.
One of the most efficient airports when it comes to transit—a 30 minutes layovers is enough to catch a connecting flight, but also one of the most forward-looking when it comes to noise and pollution control. 

Official website


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05 Mar 2015006 BCN - Google Flights, Bombardier CS300, mobile passport, Airwolf, MH37001:12:07

SHOW NOTES

Two shout outs this week. First to TheDesignAir for going live with their brand new podcast, The Aviator, it's really great and you should all subscribe!

Second to our own Alex who just released the first episode of his video travel show, Attaché. Take a look at the London episode. Paul attended the filming of Barcelona this week—what fun we had!

I. News of the week

WOW goes transatlantic

Iceland's WOW air prepares fo new transatlantic routes — Alan Dron, ATW

Ryanair to add cheap transatlantic flights, WiFi and more in the next three years — Kayla Hertz, IrishCentral

The economic impact of Emirates Airlines in Europe

Emirates Airgues Why It's Good for Europe's Economy — Deena Kamel Yousef, Bloomberg

Boeing and FedEx support OpenSkies

Boeing, FedEx battle back vs US airlines on Gulf competition — Reuters

Bombardier flies its CS300

Bombardier schedules CS300 first flight for 26 February — Mavis Toh, FlightGlobal

SouthWest misses inspections

Southwest Airlines grounds 128 Boeing 737 airplanes for missed inspections — Terry Maxon, The Dallas Morning News

Southwest for Now Can Use Planes That Missed Inspection — David Koenig, ABC News

United is brutally honest with its pilots

United Airlines Officials Highlight 'Near-Misses' in Safety Message to Pilots — Dan Good, ABC News

A new biggest plane ever made

This Will Be the World's Largest Plane — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics

Inside The Roc's Lair — Guy Norris, Aviation Week

A 747 Gobs Solar Impulse From Switzerland To Abu Dhabi — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

The restoration of the first 747

From rust bucket to showpiece: Volunteers are rescuing the first Boeing 747 — Ron Judd, The Seattle Times

 

II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and Design

#MWC15: IBM showcases iOS app for airline industry

Next IBM MobileFirst for iOS Apps Unveiled — IBM

Apple - IBM Partnership Sprouts Latest Set Of Apps At Mobile World Congress — Ron Miller, Techcrunch

#MWC15: Virgin goes smartwatch

Virgin Atlantic is testing Sony SmartWear, including EyeGlass, for engineer collaboration — Dave Neal, The Inquirer

JAL Tests Smartwatch Broadcasts at Tokyo Haneda — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

#MWC15: American Airlines' Hackathon

WearableWorld Success Story

Ryanair goes mobile-first

The new Ryanair - a mobile-first travel retailer — Martin Cowen, Tnooz

Options Away' future ticket lock

Options Away, an airfare lock startup, raises $3.5 million — Sean O'Neill, Tnooz

A mobile passport to get into the US

Second Airport Offers Travelers Access to Mobile Passport App — Benet J. Wilson, Airways News

Faster Airport Entry Into the USA with this Selfie iPhone App — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

Starwood and Uber join loyalty forces

Starwood Is Giving Out SPG Loyalty Points to Uber Riders — Serena Saitto, Bloomberg

Google Flights is out of beta

Google Flights comes out of beta, but still isn't profitable — Sean O'Neill, Tnooz

Here's what Google's super-fast flight search reveals about its product strategy — Jillian D'Onfro, Business Insider

Use ITA codes on HipMunk

Bet You Didn't Know: Using Hipmunk to book ITA Matrix flights — FrequentMiler

Airbus goes AirWolf

Airbus' New Composite Helicopter Is A Billion Dollar Bet — Chris Clarke, Jalopnik

 

III. App of the Week

Turbulence Forecast

 

IV. Debate of the week

One year into MH370's mysterious disappearance.

The Vanishing — Sean Flynn, GQ

'Nobody cares any more': the relatives who went looking Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 — Jon Ronson, The Guardian

MH370 hunt covers 40% of search area — Flightglobal

MH370: Australian PM Abbott hints at scaled back search — BBC News

How crazy am I to think I actually know where that Malaysia Airlines plane is? — Jeff Wise, NYMag

To Keep Airplanes on the Map, Track Them from Space — Loren Grush, Popular Science

Airlines Make Baby Steps on Flight Tracking a Year After Flight 370 Vanished — Scott Mayerowitz and David Koenig, AP

SigFox

 

V. Question of the week

What seat would you recommend? Window, middle or aisle? by Deanne De Rego Hunter in Kent, UK.

It is often said that window seats are made for dreamers, aisle seats for workers and aisle for no one. Turns out both Alex and Paul are in for the experience and explain the reasons why. 

 

VI. Airport of the week

BCN.

Barcelona-El Prat airport has ambition. Alex and Paul talk about their experience there.


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10 Mar 2015007 MIA - 747s are Forever, From The U.S. Airlines With Love, The Man With The Golden Apple Watch01:21:36

SHOW NOTES

Alex and Paul are on a secret mission to uncover the latest in aviation innovation. Well, it's episode 007, expect Plenty O'Puns.

I. News of the week

The U.S. airlines release their white paper about the Gulf airlines

Full Report of U.S. Airlines to the White House Blaming Gulf Carriers — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers

US-UAE Business Council Tells U.S. Airlines to Compete More and Complain Less — Marisa Garcia, Skift

Feeling the heat — The Economist

U.S Airlines Promise to Get More Aggressive Towards Gulf Carrier Rivals — Dennis Schaal, Skift

American Airlines asks to extend deferral on pensions — Michael A. Lindenberger, The Dallas Morning News

American Airlines' request for pension bailout draws criticism — Steven Mufson, Washington Post

Emirates Airline assembles top team to rebut US carriers' allegations over subsidies — Frank Kane, The National

Etihads Adds Residence Suite to New York Route in Open Skies Amenities Escalation — Marisa Garcia, Skift

Second A350 to up ante in Qatar's battle with Lufthansa — Michael Gubisch, FlightGlobal

Lufthansa Prepared to Battle Emirates by Slashing Fares — Richard Weiss, Bloomberg

Emirates really wants its A380-NEOs

Emirates Would Order Up to 200 A380neos — Jens Flottau, AviationWeek

Airbus assures on A380 break-even this year — David Kaminski-Morrow, FlightGlobal

MH370 interim report

MH370 Official Report (PDF)

Angry families reject report — BBC News

Incidents in series

Turkish A330 suffers nose gear collapse in Kathmandu — Firdaus Hashim, FligthGlobal

'Minor' injuries result from MD-88 LaGuardia crash: Delta — Jon Hemmerdinger, FlightGlobal

Spicejet DH8D at Hubli on Mar 8th 2015, runway excursion on landing — Simon Hradecky, Aviation Herald

Incidents reveal crucial need for passengers to leave bags behind — John Walton, RunWayGirlNetwork

Solar Impulse 2 starts its round-the-world trip

Solar Impulse

Qantas 747 lands for posterity

Historic Qantas 747-400 makes precision touchdown on its final journey — CourrierMail

Pilot's-eye view of 747-400's delivery flight to Illawarra — wave965fm (video)

Korean Air will fly its 747-8 to London

Korean Air Adds Boeing 747-8i London Operation from August 2015 — Airline Route

New Korean Air Prestige Suite Indicates A New Seating Trend In Business Class — Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir

 

II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and Design

SITA's report on the future of air travel

The Future is Personal in Air Travel — SITA

Closing in on a 360-degree view for airports and airlines — Linda Fox, Tnooz

Airlines and Airports Turn to Apps to Improve Passenger Experience — Juliet Van Wagenen, Avionics Today

Automated technology to boost airport passenger spending: SITA — Jamie Freed, The Sydney Morning Herald

Uber suffers drawback in Japan

Uber Says Goodbye to Japan after Government Ruling — Ma Jie, Bloomberg

Uber pilots ride-sharing in Japan — The Star

Japan to Suspend Uber's Pilot Ride-Sharing Service — Juro Osawa and Takashi Mochizuku, Wall Street Journal

LINE Taxi leapfrogs Uber, now in over 90 cities across Japan — David Corbin, TechinAsia

SkyTeam goes all in for messaging apps

Dutch LCC Transavia first airline to use WhatsApp messaging for customer care — Raymond Kollau, AirlineTrends

Air France on WeChat in China — AirFrance.com

SkyTeam Gets Vocal on WeChat — SkyTeam.com

KLM Launches Android Smartwatch App — KLM.com

Thought-controlled piloting 

Quadriplegic woman flies F-35 with nothing but her thoughts — Jesus Diaz, Gizmodo

A new airliner tracking system

Rockwell Collins offers global airliner tracking system — Karen Walker, ATW

 

III. Gadget of the week

Apple Watch

 

IV. Debate of the week

The planes, airlines and airports of 007

Live and Let Fly — David Lande, Air & Space Magazine

List of vehicles in James Bond movies

Virgin Atlantic's Vesper cocktail

 

V. Question of the week

What are the private 747s in operation today? by Paul Papadimitriou, in honor of Auric Goldfinger who flew a Lockheed JetStar.

The lines of private and state-owned can sometimes be blurry, but we found three candidates, two 747-400 and one 747-8i. We enumerate a few other examples too.

 

VI. Airport of the week

MIA.

Casino Royale is the only 007 movie which features an entire action sequence in an airport: Miami International. Nothing was filmed there, though. It all happened in PRA (airfield), NAS (airport), the Dunsfold Aerodrome (hangar) and Pinewood Studios (miniatures).

We still look at what's to say about MIA. The iBeacon initiative is of note.


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17 Mar 2015008 SIN - ITA Matrix, airports sensors, Ryanair transatlantic, Lufthansa strikes01:30:29

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

SHOW NOTES

Ryanair ressucitates a ghost airport

Ryanair goes transatlantic

Qatar Airways Buys Heathrow Hotel

Emirates addresses subsidies accusations

Korean Air's attendant strikes back

Virgin Atlantic announces profit

II. Innovation news of the week

Better airport queue improvement via mobile tracking

The fastest U.S. airlines

Google Flights adds amenities data

In-flight smartcard payments

More Apple Watch flight apps

Battery causes fire on KLM flight

Spitfire interactive

Sky data drawings

3D visualization of all flights in the world

III. App of the week

ITA Matrix

IV. Debate of the week

Lufthansa's low cost strategy

V. Question of the week

Will airline honor mistake fares?

VI. Airport of the week

SIN

SIN is considered one of the best airports in the world. The SkyTrax World Airport Awards gave it its 2015, 2014, 2013 nod and Business Traveler Magazine has named it the best for no less than 26 consecutive years. From the swimming pool to the rooftop gardens, from the city tours to the slide, learn why Alex and Paul agree.


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01 Apr 2015009 PHX - Dan Hamilton, secrets of SFO ATC, Germanwings disaster, Uber for lost luggage01:31:36

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week
The Germanwings crash

Ryanair refutes transatlantic plans

New fronts in the US vs Gulf airlines debate

Air India recruitment problem

Man jumps off plane in Mumbai

II. Innovation News of the Week

A remote controlled airport tower

Uber allies with Bluesmart for lost luggage recovery

More airlines launch Apple Watch apps

A cabin to simulate aircrft sound pollution

Lufthansa flies entrepreneurs in India

III. App of the Week

Google Flights

IV. Topic of the week

The secrets of SFO tower with Dan Hamilton, Air Traffic Controller at San Francisco Airport

VI. Airport of the week

PHX

Beyond the brutalist experience, what is there to know about Phoenix Sky Harbor: from the disappearing Terminal 1 to the highest airport train track in the world.


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10 Apr 2015010 AMS - PaxEx, Virgin Galactic, aircraft Street View, US unions vs Nicole Kidman, SouthWest IFE01:38:19

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

Virgin into space

Human errors in the cockpit

The growing pains of the South East Asia airline industry

The elusive MH370

The Germanwings disaster

Allegiants pilots union disastrous letter

The unions don't like Nicole Kidman

A foamy salute to Virgin Atlantic

A shout out to Pieter Johnson and his Aviation Xtended

II. Innovation news of the week

KLM transforms a plane into an AirBnB

The sharing economy and travel

Austrian becomes myAustrian in new livery

British Airways' frequent flyer system hacked

Priceline buys Rocketmiles

Selling airline miles for bitcoins

Alex tests SouthWest IFE

Cathay looks into coffee

Google Street View goes into aircrafts

How to take a good picture through an airplane window

III. App of the week

LiveATC

IV. Topic of the week

What does PaxEx truly mean? Looking at the entire scope of the passenger experience.

V. Question of the week

What are your top 3 airline websites?

Alex

Paul

We also mention:

VI. Airport of the week

AMS

From the rooftop to the unique terminal concept, a look into what makes Schiphol stand out.


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15 Apr 2015011 SXM - Cramping coach, Narita running tracks, Emirates removes First, Google antitrust01:39:10

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

The subsidies received by U.S. arlines

Emirates lets go of First in new A380

Boeing parks 787 in Mojave Desert as premium seat glut increases

Early overweight 787 finally find owners

777 improvements while waiting for the 777X

Virgin America tops U.S. customer satisfaction

E.U. airlines fined for mishandling passengers' rights

Airport handler wakes up in cargo while flight en route

TSA wins big on loose change

II. Innovation news of the week

Google faces anti-trust proceedings in Europe

Air Malta draws hearts in the sky

LHR introduces smarter airplane separation for more landing efficency

Angry Birds on IFE

Delta offers a premium pet tracking service

AMS and KLM partner for airport wayfinding through beacons

NRT uses running track instead of airport signage

III. App of the week

SeatGuru

IV. Topic of the week

The future of economy is shrinking

The situation

The manufacturers plans for more economy seats

The airlines new economy

The seat recline debate

A better economy seat

The best current seats

V. Question of the week

The world's craziest runways

LUA, Nepal

GIB, Gibraltar

PHB, Buthan

SBH, St. Barts

TGU, Honduras

SXM, St Marteen

We also mentionned, Courchevel CVF, the Swissair landing at HKG and Matekane in Lesotho.

VI. Airport of the week

SXMA plane spotter paradise.


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23 Apr 2015012 LAX - Dean Johnson, JFK epic building, iPad seat dock, 787 Star Wars, live sports IFE02:02:40

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

Emirates massive engine order

Cyprus plans for a new flag carrier

Iconic JFK Terminal 5 building revived

United expels passenger for tweet

SkyJet and media sensationalism

Manston's future

New UK Air Passenger Duty Taxe rate

II. Innovation news of the week

ANA Star Wars plans

Device charging safety

Lufthansa introduces Wifi on short haul flights

A truly global Wifi

Gogo's study on in-flight Wifi expectations

The success of in-flight live sports

Docking iPad seat

Could planes be hacked through wifi?

Lufthansa frequent flyer system compromised

Airport sleeping pods

Business Lounge etiquette revised by Qantas

III. App of the week

Kayak Flights Price Alerts (account needed)

Kayak.com

IV. Topic of the week

The future of virtual reality, smartwatches and gadgets in flight. With Dean Johnson, SVP of Creative Innovation at Brandwidth Group.

Mentioned during the interview

V. Question of the week

1st Class, Premier Class, Upper Class. Who truly has the top tier "pointy end product"? What product/services are necessary to be widely considered a 1st class product?by Will Hunter from Berkeley, California.

VI. Airport of the week

LAX


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08 May 2015013 LCY - 787 bug, American iPad bug, Germany parking robot, Four Seasons plane01:33:26

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

The 787 Bug

The new FAA air traffic system

Planes grounded by an iPad app error

Happy 10th, A380

A private 747-8

U.S. airlines investing

Judge dismisses Skiplagged suit

MH downsizes, kills cargo

TAP goes on prolonged strike

The 2015 Freddie Awards

The Nepal earthquake

China v US airlines?

Qatar adds more capacity to the U.S.

II. Innovation News of the Week

The Apple Watch is released

An app to FedEx your suitcase

A new business class seat concept

A valet robot at Dusseldorf Airport

Connected Valet Robot “Lights Up” Airport Parking

Four Seasons in the air

#T1Lightsoff

A bigger first class for Emirates

Airubs e-fan has a factory

III. The Airport of the Week

LCY


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15 May 2015014 DXB - Emirates A380 First showers, Rome FCO fire, Etihad reacts to US3, Asia needs pilots01:31:23

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week
Another year of profits for Emirates

Subsidy? Tosh!

Tim Clark talks on the Emirates in-flight radio

Etihad reacts to U.S. accusations

Frontier woes continue

Cyprus might get a new airline

Rome FCO crippled by a fire

The magic of flying

Not enough pilots in Asia

II. Innovation news of the week

Alex shares his Cathay Pacific experience

Paul takes about his Emirates experience, including a shower in the Emirates A380 First Class cabin

Free smartphone with unlimited data at a Hong Kong hotel

U.S. versus Asian airports

An anti-glare photo invention

III. App of the week

Hotel Quickly

IV. Airport of the week

DXB


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04 Jun 2015015 ATL - Singapore A330 engine failure, Delta new safety video, TravelersBox, Emirates mocks US01:22:08

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

Another report in the US4 v ME3 saga

The best U.S. airlines

Delta likes profits and fees

Bye bye US Airways

U.S. pre-clearance expanded

Will Emirates fly to the U.S. from London?

IAG backs the Middle-Eastern carriers

Amsterdam doesn't want more Emirates flights

Malaysia Airlines fires every single employee

A Singapore Airlines A330 sees two engines shut off midflight

II. Innovation news of the week

Hacking a flight: the story so far

United offers miles bounty to squash bugs

The crazy new Delta safety video

Paul relates his Emirates experience from MXP to JFK

Improving ATC through data commands

Singapore Airlines shows its newest Premium Economy product

Emirates ad on the golden age of travel pokes fun at U.S. airlines

The video has been removed from Emirates YouTube channel

Skywards gives aways 15 million miles to celebrate anniversary

Flying Blue's photo contest

SkyPicker offers new combinations for cheap travel

III. Product of the week

IV. Airport of the week

ATL


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26 Jun 2015016 VIE - KLM social media, Iberia ticket auctions, Delta bags, SouthWest good deed, ANA rebrand01:28:34

SHOW NOTES

I. News of the week

II. Innovation of the week

III. Airport of the week
VIE


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30 Jun 2015017 MEM - 747 is alive, EasyJet drone maintenance, FAA pilotless plane, no A380 for United01:21:21

SHOW NOTES

I. Industry News of the Week

II. Innovation News of the Week

III. App of the Week

IV. Airport of the Week

MEM


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09 Jul 2015018 ATH - Emirates goes to Washington, LHR T1 closes, Iron Man safety video, Monarch Apple Watch01:22:14

SHOW NOTES

I. Industry News of the Week

II. Innovation News of the Week

III. Airport of the Week

ATH


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29 Jul 2015019 GIG - Greg Annandale, La Guardia is bad, living in First Class, La Compagnie, SpaceX01:40:06

SHOW NOTES

Guest

Greg Annandale, freelance web developper. WebsiteTwitterInstagram

I. News of the week

TEDx Haneda

MH17 1 year anniversary

Airbus confirms A380neo

Could Singapore retake the longest flight crown?

** Greg Annandale on his SpaceX experience**

The U.S. "Boeing" Bank faces uncertain future

LGA to be rebuilt

The JFK TWA hotel

Reduced competition at U.S. airports

The incredible business of ticket fees

British Airways fights hidden city trick

Collusion in the U.S. skies?

United CEO dismiesses A380, first class

United pilot ditches ammo in lavatories

The summer of hell for United

Delta investing in Japan's bankcrupt SkyMark?

Delta ditches plans to buy jets after union negotiations fall apart

Air France, its model, its unions

IAG gets the OK to buy Aer Lingus

Ryanair hates prices comparison websites

Ryanair leaves Denmark over labor union woes

A 1bn airport sold for 10k

Athens airport hasn't paid VAT forever

BA inquiry: wrong engine had been fixed

777 debris fall over Shanghai

LHR won't agree to new rules for 3rd runway

Protesters blocks LHR runway

II. Innovation news of the week

Solar Impulse 2 can't go on with current batteries

Airbus electric plane crosses the Channel

Burt Rutan is not done creating amazing planes

Greg Annandale reviews 'Living in the Age of Airplanes'

A new economy seat patent makes the internet go crazy

Ben Schlappig, traveling in First Class all year round, for free

British Airways keeps First Class in 787-9

British Airways sticks with first class on its bellwether 787-9 - Runway GirlRunway Girl

SWISS impresses with 777 interior design

Greg Annandale shares his experience on La Compagnie

TheDesignAir ranks best business classes

TheDesignAir Passenger Choice's awards are open

III. Airport of the week

GIG (Rio de Janeiro)


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07 Aug 2015020 DUB - Airbus hypersonic, MH370 discovery, Delta, United hacking, LHR 3rd runway01:23:40

SHOW NOTES

News of the week

Mission Impossible — Rogue Nation

First clues in the MH370 mystery?

US3 versus ME3

Japan

China

TAP + Azul

U.S. airlines systems hacked

Airlines ban game trophies

First class jets

Airlines mis-target customer messages

The A380

Airbus & Boeing sales numbers

AirHook

Airbus future planes

Heathrow's third runway

British Airways' new luggage policy

HitList hits version 3

II. Airport of the week

DUB


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14 Aug 2015021 LAS - Drone disruption, UK airports sales tax scam, Facebook aircraft, Tinder for the skies01:08:07

SHOW NOTES

News of the week

Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary

Singapore Airlines' future

Emirates competes with Singapore, comments on Delta

Passenger chat apps

Too many air travel apps?

Be the Skyscanner CEO

More apps

Wifi in the skies

Dangerous drones

Guns at U.S. airports

The Facebook drone

SpaceShip Two

Harrison Ford's accident report

Storms

Drunken behaviors

MH rumored new name

A duty free scandal in the UK

Airport of the week

LAS


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10 Sep 2015022 JNB - Don Hunter, fmr Cathay Pacific and Kai Tak, debating the future of flying01:26:03

SHOW NOTES

Guest

Don Hunter. Chief Officer Airport Operations at Oman Air since 2010. Prior to that, MD Dnata Philippines and Vice President Operations Dnata Dubai. Managing director of Menzies Macau in 2007-2008. General Manager Airport Services Virgin Atlantic in 2004-2007. Cathay Pacific Airways in 1986-2004, posts included General Manager Kai Tak, Managing Director Hong Kong Air Terminal Services, and MD Hong Kong Airport Services, General Manager Africa and Airport Manager San Francisco. 10 years as commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force.

News of the week

The story of the HKG transfer, by Don Hunter

Other future airport switches

The rise of the Middle Eastern airlines

We've discussed about this topic in all our episodes so far. Of note, check episode 005 MUC on the origins of the Gulf airlines, 004 GVA on the US versus Middle-East debate, 008 SIN on Lufthansa's low cost strategy or 014 DXB where we talk about Emirates.

The future of flying in Africa

Low costs and the legacy airlines

We've also discussed the low cost model in various past episodes, including 008 SIN when we discussied RyanAir potential long haul low cost offering.

New modular fares and the Malaysia Airlines relaunch

BA keeps its 747 alive

Check our various past episodes about our discussions on the future of the A380.

A different ranking of best and worst airports in the world

The Shoreham Airshow disaster

Airport of the week

JNB


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14 Sep 2015023 LGW - American First for pets, Iron Maiden 747, LoungeBuddy, sinking airport01:05:00

SHOW NOTES

Shout outs

Our thanks to all our listeners, we really appreciate your loyalty and your feedback! Special thanks to Neil (JNB), Zachary (SFO), Kendall (TXL), Michael (FAB), HhhHhm (AMS), Gen (PVG), Pieter (BOH), Markus (STR), Mica & Camille (LHR), Gray (TPA) and Mascha (AMS) for your messages.
And Don for episode 022, the feedback has been incredible.

News of the week

BA 777 on fire at Las Vegas

Don't be stupid in an emergency evacuation

British Airways unveils new First cabin

Paul's curation of First and Business class news

First class for pets

Be mentored at 30,000 feet

United CEO is fired on the spot

Iron Maiden embarks on World Tour on a 747

ANA unveils the Star Wars Dreamliner

Don't believe Facebook flight hoaxes

Heathrow miles

Flying apps

KLM on Instagram

Airports incidents

777 flaperon confirmed from MH370

Airport of the week

LGW


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28 Sep 2015024 MRU - New wave of airplane food, Concorde to fly again, 777-9X foldable wings01:05:44

SHOW NOTES

Shout outs

Special thanks to Michael (FAB) who corrected us (LGW is not a BAA airport anymore) and for his contributions you'll hear throughout this episode, to Nic (LHR) for his endorsement, Mohd (KUL) for the kind words and his question, to the Flying Blue employee Paul phoned to whilst being at MRU for being so kind and efficient.

Paul would also like to thank Bernard who invited him on his Analyse Asia podcast to discuss the state of travel in Asia (show notes):

https://soundcloud.com/analyseasia/episode-60-startups-air-travel-in-asia-with-paul-papadimitriou

…and to Mark (LHR) whose book, Skyfaring, helped him enjoy a 12 hours flight.

News of the week

Air Mauritius

iPhone 6S and Apple Watch

MH370

Airplane Food

The Concorde to fly again?

Airbus

Mitsubishi

Boeing

LHR tests steeper approach

Rear-ended at LAX

Weighting passengers

The IFE that calls you an idiot

Question of the week

by Mohd Adid on becoming a pilot in South East Asia.

Airport of the week

MRU


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10 Oct 2015025 LGB - limiting leg room reduction, United iPhones and secret frequent flyer program01:03:04

SHOW NOTES

Captains' hat tips

Our thanks to Markus (STR), Cedric (CDG), Michael (FAB), Peter (BOH), Ivan (WAW), and Kendall (TXL) for their contributions to this episode and their feedback.
Note that due to the increasing incoming messages, we won't be able to thank everyone, nor reference all the news sent to us on each episode, for time's sake. please keep them going though! We really love the conversations and try to answer to each and everyone of you.

Special thanks to all those who hunted our last episode on Product Hunt.

News of the week

Disruption in air travel

LHR and pollution

Air India announces world's longest flight

Airline layoffs

Stop the leg room war

Innovation in seat design

Europe Court challenges airline excuses for delays

A lucky landing

United apologizes

United pampers

United innovates

A non-smart Bluesmart?

Quebec airport and the Apple Watch

AirAsia is an internet company

Malaysian won't re-brand

The Emirates Jennifer Aniston ad

The Miami Dolphins and Heathrow

A teddy bear journey

Airport of the week
LGB


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31 Oct 2015026 BOM - Poland LOT bitcoins, LHR Terminal 6, Pegasus Instragram, Virgin America Spotify01:07:29

SHOW NOTES

Wishing well to Oscar Munoz

Alex & Paul's travels

BA and OneWorld to grow network?

Qantas to fly direct to Europe?

The future of London Heathrow

JetBlue farms potatoes at New York Kennedy

Hiroko Tabuchi's pictures of JFK TWA terminal

HKG delays third runway

Fly for 2 dollars around Asia!

LOT goes bitcoin

New websites to score flying deals

Virgin America introduces Spotify

Virgin America's A320 Inside View

Netflix in the air

Wifi on the transatlantic route

Norwegian promises low prices to cross the Atlantic

The different perception about the passenger experience

Compensation for delays

Expedia offers more plane data at booking

A new smart-carry (that we like)

Mandatory plane dashboard cams?

This PEgasus pilot has such a great Instagram account

No, the LHR Concorde didn't dissapear

BOM


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17 Nov 2015027 FRA - DXB beacons, Indigo, bye bye US Airways, Air France downsizing, carry-on ads01:04:10

SHOW NOTES

Captains' Hat Tips

Thanks to Kendall (TXL) for stating that we were one of the best sources of industry news, to Greg (BRS) for his weekly contributions and Vicky (ATH) for her suggestions.

News of the week

The Russian airliner crash

Worrying working conditions for US Air Traffic controllers

The Future of Air France

The success of IndiGo

Russia Sukhoi finds a client

China's Comec

WHo will order the B747?

Airbus ups and downs

A new crazy seat patent

The Residence, by Etihad

News rows in the US3 v ME3 debate

The passenger technologies at Dubai airports

Advertising on your carry-on

A smart travel lock

Boaarding pass barcodes could be a security risk

CIA's advice: look cool

Google and the workplace

Cathay refreshed its livery

US Airways gets a send off

FRA


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26 Nov 2015028 IST - Star Trek influences EasyJet, Twitter for airlines, Turkish IFE, Etihad upgrade bidding01:08:02

Terror attacks

The new airport security reality: insoucring?

Paul narrates how liquids in his carry-on failed to be detected at TSE, IST and ZAG

Emirates goes 2 class and jetpacks

Happy 20, EasyJet (but are you sure about those uniforms?)

The Air Astana experience and its IFE

Etihad's upgrade bidding system

Is Twitter a better way to handle customer service?

Paul narrates his nightmarish Turkish flight cancellation incident

Paul and Alex both flew in the same "Pope plane" by Croatia Airlines

The state of maintenance

Paul narrates how a third of his SWISS flight wasn't allowed to board

Lufthansa experiences a very bad strike

The Norwegian experience

The modern Turkish experience

IST


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06 Dec 2015029 EWR - Jetblue and Amazon, 170 million air miles, crazy Airbus patent, wine carry-on00:50:51

Women in the aviation industry

Air travel after the terror attacks

Proof that SIN is good for layovers?

Cathay returns at LGW

Cathay Pacific 'to return to London Gatwick with A350' - Business Traveller

Europe and the US versus the Middle-Eastern carriers

What is Qatar announcing for the US market?

JetBlue goes Amazon

Emirates adds bigger IFE screens in all classes

Pay for Wifi with United miles

170m USD worth or air miles!

Jetlovers

Google creeps into travel

Startup lookout

Luggage weight sharing?

  • Edwin asks us if it would be possible for poeple to share the weight they're checking into the hold.

For wine lovers

KLM goes Messenger

We don't know what Airbus is thinking

The renaissance of supersonic planes

EWR


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27 Dec 2015030 BEY - Changi goes Star Wars, abandoned 747s, Qatar A350, Airbus Kinder chocolate01:01:09

Travel security advices

SIN meets Star Wars

The BA 767

Qatar Airways fumbles A350 launch in New York

Emirates retires aircrafts and expands airline deals

Etihad wants to be there for the long run

Luxury seats …with a view

A chocolate egg with a plane

The lunacy of designers thinking about air travel

The battle of travel planning apps

Uncertainties over Egypt

Air India can't find enough cash

Good news for U.S. air travel

Toss the bag!

The abandonned 747s mystery

Drawing the experience of air travel

LHR delayed decision angers UK businesses

U.S. Global Entry opened for British citizens

BEY


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02 Jan 2016031 NCE - BA avoid France, ANA flies Star Wars, A380 maximum seats, texting Kayak01:00:57

ANA Star Wars

Happy birthday Airbus

App in the Air

Kayak Snap

McKinsey's future of travel

Facebook and the future of travel | McKinsey & Company

Post-booking price checking app

The miles addiction

Turning an airplane

ZRH gets a lots of Qatari jets

Delta CEO is person of the year

No more hover boards

BA goes reward flight on iOS

Why does British Airways avoid French airspace?

New LHR approach over continental Europe

Did Malaysian really fly in the wrong direction?

Beacons arrive at MUC

Airports hit record PAX numbers

Virgin Atlantic gets creative for its financing

Virgin America gets new Airbus planes

Mistubishi delays aircraft

CityJet orders more SuperJets

The CS100 get the greenlight

The future of Sharm el-Sheikh is uncertain

A real fake bomb freaks Air France and the rest of us

How many coach seats can you cram in a plane?

Flying without ID? It's possible in the US

De-icing equipment has a tendency to hit stuff

Ranking bad in-flight services

Skift's 2015 brand valuations

Getting out in style? Use a ladder

The US will fly to Cuba

NCE


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17 Jan 2016032 OSL - Air France last 747, Qatar Airways entertaining CEO, drone avoidance technology01:03:06

SAS

Estonian Air suffers

Airbus financial results

Al Baker is the most entertaining man in aviation

United needs to come around

Etihad will finally deliver in the US

The ME3 in the US

Air France says adieu to last 747

Largest operators of aircrafts

Will commercial aircrafts be piloted by only one person?

Still no sign of the MH370

Flying with the door open?

Animals creating chaoes

2015 was really safe

Long haul low cost to/from the US

An app to sawp seats

Uber to enter the travel planning game?

That crazy concept might be more real than we thought

A carry-on that follow you every step of the way

New airport expansions set to open

OSL


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03 Feb 2016033 HND - Comparing JAL and ANA, not so smart carry-ons, new IranAir deal, best Star Alliance seat01:06:35

Alex and Paul report on their trips

ANA and JAL profits

Airbus sells A380s and more

EK 2016 orders

TAP and Azul share new interiors

Boeing announces earnings and flies its new 737

The Swiss Laubehorn race in 360

Wifi in the air

The longest commercial flihgts in the world

Those pesky fees won't come down

Smart carry-on absolute fail

The travel planning apps contest update

Intelligent bidding and booking apps

Has the Internet made air travel irrelevant?

When low cost is really low cost

Etihad

Terror or not?

Crew fights in the air

Sonic booms

A new kind of therapy pet

HND


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15 Feb 2016034 MAN - Turkish and Batman, new OK Go video, China blacklists, JetBlue, fuel surcharge01:02:54

Paul reports on his Athens trip with Aegean & Alex talks about his quest for an Asia-bound ticket from London

The 2015 air travel stats

JetBlue goes VC

Expedia, Google and the future of OTAs

Startups and plane routes

Somalia terror attack

Turkish & Batman & Superman

PDX's movie theatre

Emirates goes drone for its latest marketing campaign

OK Go in zero gravity

A smartphone-controlled IFE

BA forced to enter the 21st century

Korean Air pilots bargain hard

China cracks down on unruly passengers

The 747 can't die

Omega Tau talks NASA 747

Delta's CEO retires

BA will fly to Iran

The real fuel surcharge cost

NASA revives the X-plane program

A new Russian competitor to the 737 and 320?

MAN


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08 Mar 2016035 OAK - Rimowa electronic tag, gettind rid of the A340s, American fights Gogo, banning calls01:00:07

Layovers is 27th on 100 most interesting podcasts

Aegean isn't as good a status fast track as it used to be

OK Go's Reddit IAmA

With Husband in Tow's podcast

AA's app

Somalia's attack has been claimed

MAN gets mega budget to evolve

AA meets Uber

AA sues Gogo

In-flight Wifi advertising

Banning calls in the air?

Qantas' Tech Talks

TSA Pre-Check extension

Privatizing the US skies

US Airports order AirGrub for food delivery

MIA's app integreates beacons

UA introduces 3-class on domestic trunk routes

All you can eat flying

Re-inventing the luggage tag

Al Baker strikes again

Singapore Air Show

ANA goes First on A380

The A340 is ditches left and right

LH can't seem to delivery on its new strategy

A Die Hard scenario

What if a pilot dies?

Jet lag and timezones

A very quick way to learn to fly

Bombardier suffers

Lucy in the skies for a lot of money

DXB expands

Best airports to sleep, 2015

OAK


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20 Mar 2016036 KEF - Bizarre Delta ads, EU fed up with US on Norwegian, a flaw in TSA Pre00:56:32

Alex narrates his LHR-JFK-BOS experiences

Some Americans will need a passport to fly domestic

Paul narrates his LHR-GVA experience

Automated check-in for everyone by the Lufhtansa Innovation Hub

Another German Innovation Hub

Paul narrates his LGW-KEF experience

  • The LGW e-passport gates fail

The everywhere security future

Shout outs

MAN asks for tax reprieve

The strange AA versus Gogo lawsuit

The in-flight roaming market

Munoz is back at United!!

The EU wants the US to stop stalling Norwegian

A new EU alliance

The Amazon fleet

Tracking luggage

Samsonite aquires Tumi

MH370: two years on

The lasr minutes of the GermanWings flight

Which airlines get love/hate on social media

The A350 promise

SWISS's new 777

The bizarre Delta ads

The Freddie Awards

KEF


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01 Apr 2016037 LCA - Airbus Airspace, Boom, 777 saves the UK, a kinder Ryanair, Iron Maiden 74700:57:24

The EgyptAir hikacking

Terror at BRU

Smart security

Pre or not Pre

The greatest review ever of Layovers

Virgin America is for sale

Virgin Australia loses Air New Zealand

Virgin Atlantic going low cosst?

The new Airbus experience

A split level A350?

The mile-high clubs

Tinder for airports?!

Ryanair switches strategy

WOW the low cost disruptor

A french long haul low cost

Qatar eyes low cost in India

Royal Brunei

The great UK panic

A new age in supersonic travel?

Pilots rank the worst airports

The Fly Dubai crash

The Germanwings crash sparks mental health debate

The Iron Maiden 747

Happy anniversaries, ANA!

The ULL race

Mapping what's below you

A new 5th freedom route in Europe?

LCA


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20 Apr 2016038 BOS - Behind Virgin America and its death, TSA, KLM Facebook Messenger, Tesla races 73700:56:00

The death of Virgin America

The 747 lives to see another day

Shoutouts

KLM expands Messenger initiative

AF KLM CEO leaves for IATA

US Congreas refuses to legislate on legroom

The state of air travel

Passengers rights in the EU almost impound a plane!

Missiles on a commercial jetliner...

Yet another smart luggage

A tracker with a twist

Facepalm for the TSA

A smart… pillow??

A 737 races a Tesla

BOS


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08 May 2016039 DME - Throne seat, Wow Air Snapchat, Solar Impulse, Malaysian loses CEO, US consolidation01:00:18

Congrats Solar Impulse!

Virgin America

WOW Air wants you to Snapchat

US consolidation

FlyerRights responds to our 038 leg room story

Alex flies Emirates Business Class and more

TripIt half-repaints its website

Seats, seats and more seats

Another smart carry-on

David Verch tells us all about LugLoc

Amber and Eric mention us one more time!

We're on iTunes, give us a review, pretty please :-)

A new Matrix ITA guide

Drones are made out of plastic too, you know

Mueller leaves Malaysian

DME


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25 May 2016040 LHR — Mark Vanhoenacker, Skyfaring author, British Airways 747 pilot00:44:17


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10 Jun 2016041 SOF - Paul flies round the world in First, Qantas women uniforms, Ryanair new route model01:01:15

Wifi chaos

Bourdain on plane food

A new kind of alliance

Will Air France and Singapore enter an alliance too?

China

JetLovers 3D

A new Ryanair era

TSA is getting worse

Crazy plane furniture

Plane-influenced hotels

Airbus VC

Lufthansa car sharing

Pilot assaulted

SOF


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10 Jul 2016042 DOH - Flying Qatar A350, Tim Clark reality check, Hamad business class lounge, Singapore ULL01:02:17


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01 Aug 2016043 SJC - Brexit, Air Serbia and Etihad, heir to the throne at Emirates, US EU open skies, Iran 74701:04:30

Alex flies the 787 to SJC

Iceland and the UEFA Euro

Sully gets a trailer

The FAA rules on drones

Brexit and the impact on UK air travel

Paul flies Easyjet from LGW

Solar Impulse

The solar-powered airport

Boeing solar-powered plane

NASA wants to learn from American Airlines

Boeing Centennial

More hopes for the 747

The EU-US Open Skies must go deeper

Air Serbia launches new NY routs

The US4 is losing its war against the ME3

Mueller goes to Emirates

Emireates has a new 777 business seat

Cobalt flies!

SWISS gets its new Bombardier

Paul meets Air New Zealand

The EgyptAir crash

The IST terror attack

The husbands who ditch their spouse for business class

The status game

SJC


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18 Aug 2016044 PVG - Pokemon Go, Cathay Dragon, BA ex-BMI A321, new SWISS 777-300ER, motorized carry-on01:07:48

Pokemon Go makes you do stupid things

Carry-on might make you look like an idiot

A beautiful AV Geek engagement

Lufthansa sells seats on AirBnB

Mitsubishi also wants to enter Iran

Air Astana wants the Embraer E2

Farnborough 2016

The end of the 747?

Alex flies Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon

Singapore Airlines in rough air

Air France sees more strikes

Unlimited flights Paris/London - NY

Game over for the US4 griefs (finally!)

The SkyTrax awards

Lots of words, almost no action for London airports

Drones

The photo app for BA pilots

Paul experiences lie-flat seats in short haul flights

Review your flights on Tripadvisor

The search for MH370 os almost over

The FlyDubai leaks

Solar Impulse ends its round the world jounrey

PVG


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02 Oct 2016045 FCO - Airbus flying taxis, augmented reality Emirates, Cebu Pacific million miles baby01:07:08

Paul is on Aviation Xtended

The US National Aviation Day

Cranky Flyer celebrates in style

How to be dumb in an airport

The Emirates crash landing

The AR amenity kit

Quantas soars

Cebu Pacific's loyalty

The state of US air travel

The JFK panic

Singapore Airlines celebrates Gold

The BA Olympics plane, and the food uproar

Ranking food

Virgin Atlantic adds live TV

Boeing widebodies don't sell

Airbus widebodies go regional, and more

More smart carry-ons for Alex

FCO


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11 Nov 2016046 GVA - Tony Tyler, fmr IATA & Cathay Pacific CEO, aviation is a force for good00:47:54

IATA

GVA


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24 Jan 2017047 JFK - Bye Virgin America, supersonic Boom, noise-cancelling headphone king, British Airways food01:01:44


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11 Feb 2017048 CPT - US Travel Ban, Norwegian Airlines, 737 MAX 8, Air Canada, Bombardier CS10000:53:26

00:00 - Introduction, Layovers reviews

02.51 - US Travel Ban

06:56 - US3 at the White House

07:56 New Emirates 5th freedom route, Delta

09:19 - Norwegian US announcements

12:05 - 737 MAX 8 for intercontinental routes

13:53 - Alex flies Thomas Cook to CPT

18:00 - American drops IFE screens

19:07 - Air Canada unveils new livery

23:06 - Etihad, its CEO and Lufthansa

25:45 - Emirates fleet change 2007-2017

26:28 - Lufthansa app, Worldmate, Google Trips, Tripit

28:20 - Paul crazy flights to MAD via ZRH and FRA

31:52 - More on travel planning apps

33:28 - MAD T2 and T3

34:08 - Paul tests the Bombardier CS100

36:18 - SWISS Fear of flying course

37:55 - Schengen area, Momondo, Skyscanner

39:26 - No wifi on Ryanair, BA Cityflyer, plane food

41:28 - Paul continues to ramble about his loved Sony MDR-1000X

42:36 - The must-have button on every IFE, Turkish interface

43:54 - Amazon, Superbowl, ATL drones, Airbus self-flying taxis

46:20 - Living in lounges

47:20 - Cape Town CPT airport

52:17 - Conclusion, next flights


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23 Feb 2017049 ORY - US border passwords, Breitling 777, Air Force One, United Polaris, Korean Air taser00:59:53

00:00 - Introduction, feedback, reviews

05:43 - US border asking for passwords

11:08 - Air Force One 747-8

12:15 - Lufthansa 747-8, Fashion Week, 350-900, EU

15:16 - Lufthansa booking API, mystery bookings

19:05 - Jet Airways intercept over German airspace

20:55 - Boeing 787-10 rollout

23:15 - SWISS Breitling 777-300ER watch, Bremont

25:18 - Alternatives to Airbus and Boeing, A320

27:51 - United Polaris, Saks amenity kits

31:00 - Delta food, profit-sharing, Fortune ranking, pilot meltdown

33:45 - Alex BA compensation

36:55 - Korean Air taser

*39:29 - Alcohol in the air, Qatar longest flight, BA baggage handlers *

43:08 - Nuts allergy pre-boarding

45:21 - Alex suprises his son with a flight to AMS on BA

48:57 - Dubai pilotless flying taxi, packing drones to travel

50:31 - The coat to replace your carry-on, Uber flying car, CPT Thunder City

53:06 - Paris-Orly ORY

59:00 - Conclusion, next flights


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08 Mar 2017050 NRT - The crazy story of Narita, Cathay Pacific Beer, 10 Cent Fares, Open Skies rift01:11:42

00:00 - Introduction

01:24 - ANA 380, Special livery, Drone Inspection, JAL pilots

05:30 - Cathay Pacific Beer, bubbly in the air

08:32 - Air China Cathay Pacific merger rumor

10:54 - Aboslute low cost Spring Airlines, China strategy

14:55 - Qantas ultra long haul, ANA Mexico route

17:49 - Episode 049 feedback, reviews, chapters

21:41 - Aer Lingus, Norwegian, new US routes, Easyjet

25:28 - United, Munoz, 5th freedom routes, Open Skies debate

30:33 - New US travel ban, new TSA rules, EU travel ban

34:57 - Mouse ban, plane over-crowding

37:55 - Airmule, TripIt, Kayak, FlySMS, apps

42:50 - Paul flights, TripCase ADD, BA priority, Bluesmart ad, CS100 video

49:24 - AMS biometric boarding, Air France new low cost

52:55 - NRT, the extraordinary story of Narita


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23 Mar 2017051 DUS - Qatar suite, new A380, Worlds Best Airports, 737 MAX v 320neo, still no BER01:04:38

00:00 - Introduction

01:00 - BER pushed back, Berlin strikes, Layovers hiatus

03:33 - New QR business seat

06:37 - World's worst airports

08:28 - SkyTrax Best Airports, Terminals, Food, etc.

14:35 - CPT, Attache and taxis versus Uber

15:52 - US infrastructure, world busiest airports

17:18 - LH future business class, 350, CX 777 premium economy

20:20 - SWISS engine change in the cold

23:13 - Cathay on-demand food, operating losses

27:28 - ME3 slower growth, QR Indian carrier, United against Emirates

31:31 - New A380

32:54 - Blanket rage, cash in the plane

34:40 - QR, Airbus NEOs, Boeing MAX, JetBlue, 777 glut

40:22 - 797, LX CS300

43:41 - New Cyprus Airways, low WestJet

46:37 - Harrison Ford, Prepare for Impact app, Alitalia

8 Harrison Ford flies aircraft close to passenger plane – video | Film | The Guardian

49:31 - US Travel Ban, US domestic IDs, EK US bookings

52:00 - Exploding headphones, Layovers 050 feedback, AVTalk

57:17 - Listen to the Clouds, SFO observation deck

58:38 - DUS


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02 May 2017052 ISG - United entitlement, electronics ban, ANA Star Wars 787, Level, Finnair 35001:18:59

00:00 - Introduction, latest travels

02:54 - Trillions in the sky

03:56 - Alex discovers the AY 350, new LHR CX lounge

09:14 - Paul flies BA business, First Wing, Iberia

19:56 - Qatar consolidates its UI, BA timeline view

21:55 - United re-accommodation, US airline market

38:40 - Electronics ban controversy

48:30 - Level, IAG strategy, M&S food, toilet roll

58:54 - Alitalia bankrupt, EY-EK rapprochement, LH Senator

1:03:06 - HackHorizon, hackathon in a plane

1:05:54 - ANA Star Wars

1:36:36 - ISG

1:17:04 - Next flights


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11 May 2017053 BUD - Hackathon in a plane, disruptive passengers, Cathay Pacific, ANA banana01:14:04

00:00 - Introduction

01:58 - Disruptive passengers, Delta, social media

09:17 - United, conditions of carriage, culture

24:32 - Southwest kindness, Ryanair song

26:09 - LAX private terminal, ANA banana, C919

29:45 - Norwegian Germany, Alex's mom flies Norwegian

32:04 - LGW, e-gates

36:17 - Reviews

38.21 - Paul's crazy travel day, HEL, CDG

50:30 - Cathay Pacific, Betsy beer, The Pier

55:15 - HackHorizon, hackathon in a plane

1:07:25 - BUD

1:12:10 - Next flights


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